VOLUNTEERS who run a popular entertainment venue in Stourport have launched a public appeal to raise funds for new seats.

The Civic in Stourport is looking to raise £100,000 to pay for the installation of motorised seating that will make it easier to change the setting of the hall for different performances as well as improving the comfort for audiences.

Next year sees the 50th anniversary of the opening of the facility and The Civic Group, which runs the venue, hopes to have the refurbishment complete in time to mark that.

Currently, it takes volunteers several hours to put out and remove the ageing seating. But the new system will enable the arena to be changed within minutes.

Each new seat for the 400-capacity venue will cost £277 and The Civic is looking for both corporate sponsorship of the seating from companies as well as sponsorship of individual seats. But all contributions will be welcome.

The civic almost closed in 2013 when Wyre Forest District Council deemed it unviable as it only took 30 event bookings per year.

But The Civic Group was formed with the aim of developing the venue into a thriving community asset. And their efforts paid off with 140 events being staged in 2013.

In September of that year, the group were successful in securing community ownership of the venue under the Localism Act 2011 – the very first transfer of its kind nationally.

Despite being closed for refurbishment works during 2014, 118 events were hosted. So far, in the first 6 months of 2015, there have been 131 bookings, with almost 9,000 people coming through its doors.

Chairman, John Caldwell says “It’s been a bit of a hidden gem, but now people are talking about this great facility in Stourport.

“This year we’ve hosted a wide range of events including the popular children’s play ‘The Stick Man’, the lively jump-jive 1940s band ‘Company B’, comedy nights and local band showcases.

“We try to offer different events to suit varied audiences and our offer is going down well, but we want to do even better”.

Phil Smith, Civic Volunteer, said: “Next year it will be 50 years since the Civic Centre opened in Stourport – it would be brilliant if we could raise the funding for new seating in time for a 50th anniversary celebration.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about sponsoring the seating can contact The Civic via their email: info@thecivicstourport.co.uk