Fresh Hope for Artrix

Fresh hope - Artrix could remain as arts venue

The former Artrix building could remain an arts venue in the future after Bromsgrove District Council had its bid to buy the assets accepted by the insolvency firm.

Last month members made an urgent decision to release funds from council coffers to secure the purchase of assets associated with Artrix and other costs.

Council leader Karen May said: “The money has been released to enable the council to make an offer for the purchase of the assets helping to ensure that all options for the future of the venue are retained and supporting the efforts being made to enable the building to continue as an arts venue in the future.

“We are pleased to say that our offer has been accepted and that the council now own the assets associated with the venue of which it is the landlord. The money will also provide funding for security and maintenance of the building and for the holding trust to receive some professional advice to help and guide them in the decisions that it will need to make moving forward.”

Ms May added: “It is very early days and the future of this building is still uncertain but we understand how important this venue is to our community. This support will ensure as far as possible that the continuation of an arts facility remains firmly on the table in these difficult and uncertain times.”

Artrix ceased trading on April 7. A statement from the board said that its “fragile recovery” had been cut off by Covid 19. It had been unable to access Government support in the form of grants or loans as it did not meet the eligibility criteria and had been unable to claim against its business interruption insurance. Eighteen team members are on furlough through the Government’s Job Retention Scheme.

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