Finally: Riverbank dream may come true

Kennet Valley Arts Trust has found a local investor prepared to finance the building and management of Riverbank.

He is currently expecting to have discussions with Kennet District Council.  Concurrently KVAT will continue discussions with him as well as maintaining our popular programme of events and community initiatives.

Kennet Valley Arts Trust and other community theatre and arts groups will have access to Riverbank to stage live performance and art exhibitions.

The businessman has already run similar successful arts and cinema ventures in other parts of the country and is keen to see this facility built in his home town.

"This is an extremely exciting time for KVAT and Marlborough.  The hard work and faith of Riverbank volunteers, support from the local community and business is paying off."  commented John Cornell, Chairman of KVAT.

KVAT was set up to make a Marlborough cinema and arts centre a reality in the town. Kennet District Council agreed detailed planning permission for the facility in 2005, and KVAT has been fundraising in earnest. Over the past ten years and in lieu of a custom made building, KVAT has staged well attended and successful events and community arts projects in and around Marlborough venues.

KVAT commissioned Secret Agent Marketing to carry out a consultation with the Friends and supporters of Riverbank, as a commercial operation will be different from the charitable operation originally envisaged.

The result was overwhelming support - 86% of the 240 people who responded (about 24% of the people asked).

People were also asked what they thought would be important to Riverbank:-          The most popular element was live performance (96%), closely followed by cinema (88%), but all the instances cited - provision for community groups, art exhibitions, event/workshops for under 18s and event/workshops for families - were said to be very important by at least half of the people who answered.

Thank you to all who responded to the consultation.  If you would like to make further comments, please do so to John Cornell, Chairman, at this address:  info@kvat.co.uk

Please download the consultation report from here.

For the full result of findings, please call in at the office (as below, please call first to make sure Diana is there, on 01672 516480) or send an A4 envelope with a 40p stamp, addressed to yourself, to:

Consultation Report Request

Diana Turnbull

KVAT

B2 Wagon Yard

London Road

Marlborough

Wilts.  SN8 1LH.

Trustees