Anonymous donor pledges £100k to help save theatre

Campaigners need to raise £300,000 to buy the run-down building

A campaign group working to save a run-down theatre in Berkshire said it had received a £100,000 donation towards buying the building.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has given campaigners until the end of October to raise the £300,000 needed to buy the Novello Theatre in Sunninghill.

Save Novello Picture House wants to restore the building, linking it with neighbouring Cordes Hall, under a single charity.

It said it was also in talks with local parish councils and charities about ways of generating funding.

Renovations are expected to cost a further £300,000 to £500,000

Following a campaign, the 100-year-old theatre in High Street was registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), giving local groups first refusal before it can be offered on the open market.

Campaigners disputed the council's £300,000 price tag and said renovations were expected to cost between £300,000 and £500,000.

The group is establishing a separate committee to oversee the fundraising efforts.

If they are unable to raise the funds, the building will be marketed for commercial development.

In his most recent update, campaign coordinator Alan Everett said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have already been offered a very generous donation of £100,000, which is the best start we could have hoped for.

"Respecting the wishes of the donor, we are keeping the source anonymous."