Outgoing theatre head excited for city arts scene

Penny Hansen, who is leaving The Cresset after 30 years, said the team was like a family

A theatre boss who is leaving her venue after 30 years said she is "excited for the future of arts and culture" in Peterborough.

Penny Hansen, commercial activities head at The Cresset, said she was leaving the organisation feeling proud and hopeful about its future.

Ms Hansen started at the venue in Bretton as a waitress at the age of 16 and has worked her way around the organisation, including in the box office, in pub management, and in wedding and events planning.

But she said the landscape of arts had evolved over the years and called for the city's arts organisations to "get better at adapting to change".

The Cresset is undergoing refurbishment work, which is expected to be completed by early next year

The Cresset is owned by the YMCA Trinity Group and includes a pub, a library and independent businesses alongside an 876-seater auditorium.

It is currently undergoing a major refurbishment which includes a new roof, with the work scheduled to be completed by early next year.

Reflecting on her journey, Ms Hansen said: "It was a booming commercial operation when I joined.

"Over the years, things started to change and it went through a really challenging time during the recessions and then the pandemic. We are still feeling its effects.

"We have worked to see how we can make it sustainable, and the recent investment is a game-changer for this 45-year-old venue."

Ms Hansen, 46, said the arts and culture sector continued to face challenges, and she called for support from the people of the city to help it thrive.

"I am so encouraged by the work Peterborough Cultural Alliance does, where there is a team of cultural leaders working for the greater good. It is the beginning of something great.

"I am leaving The Cresset at a time when things are on the up and gathering momentum.

"But I want to tell Peterborough to support these organisations... Go to theatres, the museum exhibitions, Millfield festival... Give it a go."

Penny Hansen started working at The Cresset as a waitress in the 1990s

'I want to know who I am'

Ms Hansen said she would continue to be a strong advocate for The Cresset and would return to support the Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.

On her decision to leave she said: "This is about my journey and what I want.

"I don't intend to move away from Peterborough – it's a great city to live and work in.

"I have been with The Cresset for so long that I want to know who I am if I am not 'Penny from The Cresset'. It became my identity."

She added: "I care about the arts and culture scene in Peterborough, and if I can support that in any way I would love to... If my future career has an overlap with arts then that's great."