Arts centre reopens its doors after six months
After shutting its doors during lockdown, dozens of visitors flocked to a Suffolk arts centre this week as it celebrated its grand reopening.
The Bank Arts Centre, in Castle Street, Eye, welcomed visitors for the first time in more than six months, with a number of new social distancing measures in place.
Music performances and art exhibitions were on display as dozens of visitors packed into the centre, which has had its capacity slashed in order to adhere to Government guidelines.
Present at the reopening was the centre's new Theatre Director, Andy Deane, who pledged to work closely alongside the local community as the town's economy brings itself back to its feet.
Mr Deane, who had only moved to the town two months ago, said: "We are trying to engage with the local community – the aim is to make The Bank a community and creative hub.
"I would like to be approaching local businesses, working to get them on board
"It's important we are singing from the same hymn sheet.
The 39-year-old. who also works as an actor and runs the QuirkHouse Theatre Company with his wife Jackie Carreira, added that the centre would look to engage more people in the arts industry, which has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic.
"It’s really a time of unique challenges, but also a time for unique opportunities," he said.
"We are going to need new ways of expressing ourselves.
"We are trying to make it clear that the arts is for everybody – we are trying to break down those barriers of expectation.
"If you enjoy film, or you enjoy music, then the arts are for you."
The venue, which put all of its five employees on furlough during the initial stages of lockdown, had planned to reopen on September 9, but pushed the date back due to uncertainties surrounding the new social distancing measures.
Chairman at the centre, Peter Brooke, 68, said: "We had no confidence in the decision making of the Government.
"We have a responsibility to keep us and people who work with us safe
"It’s not about the money, but being around to help, and maintaining a relationship with the community."
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