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We did it! Thank you!

The Seats Project

Fundraising Update - 30 October 2024

We have hit our fundraising target!

Thank you! We are thrilled and relieved to have hit our match funding target!

We've been in touch with the Council about arranging the match funding and hope to be able to order the benches very soon.

We have also managed to have our deadline extended! We are confident that once we are able to place the order for the new seating that we'll be able to complete the Seats Project within our extended deadline. In the interim, we are installing some temporary seating that will keep us welcoming audiences this autumn (pics below).

We honestly cannot thank everyone enough for supporting us. Three months ago, staying open felt impossible. But now, we will have the time and resources to make these essential updates to our space so we can continue to be a home for artists and our community for years to come.

Each one of our supporters made that happen; thank you for doing this amazing thing!

Big Hugs,
Sharon and Leo xx

p.s. We are still accepting donations from folks who would like to Name A Seat. These funds will be used in 2025 once the Seating Project has been completed. We would like to continue making updates to our space, including arranging for new steps and new railing to our new seating banks, repainting our dressing rooms and arranging a new stage door. If you would like to support these refurbishments, please use the links below to donate as the crowdfunder will be closing very soon.

Name A Seat

Support Our Work

Fundraising Update - 17 October 2024

It is now two weeks until the end of our Improvement Notice.

Together, we have made incredible progress in a very short period of time.

We wish that we could tell you that the risk to our future has passed; however, we still have a few hurdles to overcome before we get there.

Even though we’ve been able to successfully fundraise for the risers (and paid the first instalment!), we have learned from our suppliers that it is unlikely that we will be able to install these before the deadline due to the lead time required. There is also no way that we could have the seating replaced in time.

In light of this, we have submitted a request that the deadline be extended to 31 December 2024.

This additional time will allow us to reach our fundraising target for the entire project, place the order for both the seats and risers, and to have these installed before the start of the new year.

We firmly believe that an extension should be granted. We have demonstrated a commitment to honouring the intention of the notice, and it is clear that more time is needed to complete the renovation safely and professionally. This decision will be made by our LBHF case worker, and we expect to hear back any day.

While we await the decision on our extension, we have received some news on our fundraising front.

H&F Council have said they will support our fundraising efforts!

Even bigger news: once we reach 50% of our goal or £13,368, Hammersmith & Fulham Council will match fund the rest.

This means that we have only £1265 left to raise before we reach our target.

This is an incredible boost to our fundraising and only possible because of every message from you to the Council on our behalf. Thank you for making this happen!

Previous donations and in-kind donations are already included in our backers list on the crowdfunder. The total cost of the project has increased due to additional costs associated with using the crowdfunding platform; however, these will be off set by the match funding from H&F Council.

Thank you to everyone who has advocated for us, donated, shared, and sent messages of encouragement to us during this challenging period. Each and every one of you has kept us going.

We believe we finally have some clarity on a way forward and hope that together we can reach our fundraising goal , receive the extension we deserve, and look forward to a very special start to 2025.

Big Hugs,

Sharon and Leo xx

Original Post - September 2024

For over 30 years, Barons Court Theatre has brought unforgettable shows to the heart of Hammersmith and Fulham, creating a welcoming creative place for our community and platform for emerging artists.

But our beloved theatre seats, which have welcomed thousands of you over the years, are now worn out and in urgent need of replacement.

The council has mandated that we replace our seats and risers by October 31, 2024—less than two months from now—or risk shutting down.

Without this essential upgrade, we may have to close our doors for good.

Why We Need Your Help –

2 Months to Secure Our Future

When we took over the theatre in late 2021, we knew we’d face challenges, but we were determined to secure a future for Barons Court Theatre. We've worked hard to keep the doors open and maintain our space for the next generation of theatre makers and audiences.

Unfortunately, after countless meetings, extended email conversations, repeat site visits, and multiple phone calls with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF), we received an unexpected improvement notice from the council.

The notice states that we must we replace our seats and risers by October 31, 2024—less than two months from now—or risk shutting down.

The cost of this project is £23,802.75, covering demolition and removal of our current risers, new seating, tiered risers, and a refresh of the paint throughout the auditorium and dressing rooms. We have made it explicitly clear to LBHF that this renovation is far beyond our financial resources.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’ve already raised almost £8,000, but we’re running out of time to reach our goal.

We receive no financial support from the council or any other sources, so we are turning to you—our loyal community—to help us raise the remaining funds needed to secure our future.

How You Can Make a Difference—

Donate Before Time Runs Out!

1. Sponsor a Seat: £500

Leave your mark on Barons Court Theatre by sponsoring a seat. Your name, or your company’s name, will be proudly displayed on one of our new seats, a lasting tribute to your support.

2. Take Home a Piece of History: £150

Own a piece of Barons Court history by purchasing one of our original seats. These charming 1930s seats have seen countless performances and will provide character to your home or office, or workplace.

3. Contribute to Our Seats Fund: Any Amount

Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal. Your contribution will directly fund the new seats, risers, paint, fabric, wood, labor, and signage.

Other Ways to Support Us

Write To Your Local Councillor: Do you live in Hammersmith and Fulham? Please write to your councillors to express your support for Barons Court Theatre and concern for our future. Find our West Kensington councillors here.
Donate Replacement Seats: If you have spare seats that we can use temporarily while we fundraise for our renovation, please let us know.
Donate Materials or Expertise: If you can help with construction or sponsor materials, we’d love to hear from you. We have picture of what we want; could you or your company help us?
Share Your Fundraising Experience: Have experience with capital projects or working with LBHF? Let us buy you a coffee and chat!
Join Our Board: Do you share our passion for supporting artists and creating a cultural hub for our community? We'd love to hear from local LBHF residents and folks who have skills and expertise that could help us create a bright, sustainabile future for Barons Court Theatre.

Thank You

To everyone who has already donated or helped in other ways, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your support has already brought us almost £8,000 closer to our goal.

With your help, we can meet this critical deadline and continue to bring brilliant theatre to our community for years to come.

Big Hugs,

Sharon and Leo xx