Music hall greets £700,000 lifeline

 
10 April 2012

A massive £700,000 gift will stop the architectural gem of Wilton's Music Hall in east London from crumbling, it was announced today.

The grant from the SITA Trust means that major work to safeguard the roof, basement and electrics of the last surviving grand music hall in the world can finally go ahead.

The renovations to the Grade II* listed building which is rotting and unsafe in many areas could start by June.

Wilton's patron David Suchet and managers of the venue, which has been battling for years to raise the funds to stop its closure or even demolition, welcomed the new support for its capital plans.

Suchet, who is known as Agatha Christie's detective Poirot, said it was great to know that "Wilton's is at the start of being saved once
and for all" by this "most generous, important and tremendous boost".

He added: "Wilton's is a place that is very dear to my heart and I am passionate about saving this wonderful building which really is unique - the only one in the world."

Frances Mayhew, Wilton's artistic director, said the money, together with other funds already raised, would pay for the £1.1 million first
phase of the restoration of a 154-year-old building "that simply has to be saved".

"We now urge everyone to step forward and help us raise the next £2.2 million needed," she said.

That would secure the five Georgian terraced houses that are the music hall's front of house and bar area but are currently in a fragile
state of disrepair.

Jools Granville of SITA Trust, which supports community projects, said they were delighted to help the work to save the hall and keep it open
- and hoped others would step forward to fund the rest of the plans and finally get Wilton's off the Heritage at Risk Register.

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