Theatres Trust Announces ECOVENUE Green Theatre Project for London

LONDON -

- With Photos

On 14 September 2009 at Plasa 09 The Theatres Trust will announce a new three year programme to provide specialist theatre environmental advice and undertake free DEC assessments with 48 small scale theatres in London.

One year on from the launch of the Mayor of London’s ‘Green Theatre: Taking Action on Climate Change’ initiative at Plasa 08, The Theatres Trust will announce it is to receive GBP450,000 over the next three years from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in London to deliver the ECOVENUE advisory programme.

Mhora Samuel, Director of The Theatres Trust said “When the Mayor of London’s Green Theatre Plan was launched last year to help theatres in London achieve reductions in carbon emissions by 60% by 2025, commercial and subsidised theatres in London were quick to sign up. We recognised that smaller theatres with less resources would find it harder to participate, and so made an application for funding to the LDA at the beginning of 2009 to help address the gap. I’m delighted that we can announce the ERDF award at Plasa 09 and help more London theatres to address environmental issues associated with climate change and reduce their energy use.”

The ECOVENUE project provides each participating theatre with a free theatre-specific Environmental Audit, and free Display Energy Certificates in 2010 and 2011. A DEC is a publicly displayed certificate that informs the public about the energy use of a building. This free environmental improvement advice will be delivered by a new Theatre Building Services Adviser to be employed by the Trust.

The Trust will be inviting 48 theatres to apply to participate in the project, which will run until spring 2012. Application details will be advertised over the following months.

Notes for editors:

1. Plasa 09: Green Theatres: Monday 14th September, Victoria Room, Earls Court Two 1.00pm - 2.00pm

The Theatres Trust’s will announce its ECOVENUE initiative, a new three year ERDF funded programme to provide free advice and audits to small scale theatres in London to improve their environmental performance and achieve a DEC Assessment. And there will be an update on the Mayor of London’s Green Theatre Plan launched at Plasa 08. This seminar is free but registration is required at www.plasashow.com

2. ECOVENUE:

ECOVENUE is a theatre-specific, environmental business support project for 48 theatre and performing arts venues across London. It aims to achieve quantifiable improvements in the environmental performance of London’s theatres, renowned worldwide. Theatres will be provided with advice to develop Environmental Policies and achieve Display Energy Certificates (DECs). Savings made will help to deliver the Mayor of London’s Green Theatre Plan, which aims to help theatres achieve reductions in carbon emissions by 60% from 1990 levels by 2025. ECOVENUE will be delivered by The Theatres Trust, the National Advisory Public Body for Theatres and will run until 2012.

3. European Regional Development Fund: London European Regional Development Fund 2007 to 2013:

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is used to tackle regional disparities across Europe. The ERDF supports regional development through actions such as business innovation and support and regeneration. Working on behalf of the Mayor of London, the European Programmes Management Unit (EPMU) at the London Development Agency (LDA) is responsible for the administration of the 2007 to 2013 ERDF programme.

4. The Theatres Trust:

The Theatres Trust is the National Advisory Public Body for Theatres. The Trust aims to protect theatres on behalf of the nation. It advises in planning, regeneration and development, architecture and design, heritage, and theatre. It enables better planning to secure, improve and achieve sustainability for new and existing theatre buildings and to protect theatre use. Its aim is to ensure that current and future generations have access to good quality theatres that reflect our rich cultural heritage and offer inspiring new environments in which to enjoy theatre. www.theatrestrust.org.uk

5. Mayor of London’s Green Theatre Plan:

Launched in 2008 in association with The Theatres Trust, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), Arts Council England and the Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA), Green Theatre is an action plan for the theatre industry, outlining the most practical and effective measures that can be taken to reduce energy use in buildings while also saving money in energy bills. The plan identifies how London’s theatre industry creates 50,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year - the equivalent of emissions from 9,000 homes. At the time Mayor of London Boris Johnson commented: “London’s theatres make a vital contribution to the capital’s economy and its productions and venues are renowned worldwide. The power of the theatre industry to set an example in the fight against climate change is immense. I have been impressed with the genuine leadership and commitment shown by the industry bodies we have worked with in developing this plan. I am fully committed to reducing the capital’s emissions by 60 per cent by 2025 and forward-thinking contributions such as ‘Green Theatre’ will inspire many industries to help us meet this target together.”

Pictures accompanying this release are available through the PA Photowire. They can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

Source: The Theatres Trust

For further details contact: Suzanne McDougall, T: +44-207-836-8591, E: suzanne.mcdougall at theatrestrust.org.uk