Mountview wins Heritage Lottery Fund support for Hornsey Town Hall
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts has received initial support* from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Renaissance of the Hornsey Town Hall, it was announced today, 31 May 2012. The project aims to restore and protect this important Grade II* listed building, creating a home for one of the UK’s leading drama schools and a vibrant hub of cultural and community activity at the centre of Haringey, North London. HTHCT commented, ‘HTHCT is very pleased that HLF has awarded an initial development grant to Mountview which acknowledges the significance of this architecturally important building. We will all play a role in bringing HTH back to life and look forward to continuing our work with the London Borough of Haringey and Mountview.’
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts has received initial support* from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Renaissance of the Hornsey Town Hall, it was announced today. The project aims to restore and protect this important Grade II* listed building, creating a home for one of the UK’s leading drama schools and a vibrant hub of cultural and community activity at the centre of Haringey, North London.
Development funding of £482,600 has been awarded to help Mountview progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.
The project aims to restore and refurbish the fabric of the building and its interiors, including the architecturally significant Council Chamber, Mayor’s Parlour, Committee Rooms and the Assembly Hall with its elegant foyer. It will create new performance and training spaces and an extensive participation and learning programme through which local, national and international groups can access the building’s rich heritage. Working in partnership with Haringey Council and the Hornsey Town Hall Creative Trust, Mountview is seeking to re-animate the Town Hall, in part for its original entertainment purposes. With the help of local organisations and volunteers, the project will be supported by the development of an archive making accessible the Town Hall’s cultural, civic, architectural and social history for education purposes as well as for the public to enjoy.
Hornsey Town Hall is an iconic building in Crouch End, designed in the 1930s by architect Reginald Uren and immediately awarded a RIBA medal in recognition of its pioneering approach. Owned by Haringey Council, it was declared surplus to requirements in 2003 and has been standing empty since 2009.
Sue Robertson, Principal of Mountview, said “This is fantastic news. There is now a real chance of this important building being restored and once again filled with arts, heritage and cultural events that everyone can enjoy. A unique combination of world class vocational training with a wide range of education and community activities will bring Hornsey Town Hall back to life with added value for all. We are hugely grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for sharing our vision.”
Cllr Claire Kober, Leader of Haringey Council said “This is terrific news, both for Mountview and for Crouch End. The support from the Heritage Lottery Fund means that Mountview can press ahead with their exciting plans to transformHornsey Town Hall into a leading drama schools which will also bring community benefits, regenerate this much-loved landmark building and bring a boost to the local economy with increased visitors and a thriving student population. We look forward to continuing to work together with Mountview and the Hornsey Town Hall Creative Trust to help bring the Town Hall back into use.”
Sue Bowers, Head of HLF London, said, “Hornsey Town Hall is a wonderful heritage gem in the heart of North London and a fine example of 1930s architecture and design. The Heritage Lottery Fund support will help MountviewAcademy and Haringey Council progress exciting restoration and regeneration plans that will see the Hall brought back into use for the local community.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. A first-round pass
*A first-round pass means the project meets HLF criteria for funding and HLF believes the project has potential to deliver high-quality benefits and value for Lottery money. The application was in competition with other supportable projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of outline proposals. Having been awarded a first-round pass, the project now has up to two years to submit fully developed proposals to compete for a firm award.
On occasion, an applicant with a first-round pass will also be awarded development funding towards the development of their scheme.
2. About Mountview
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts is one of the UK’s leading drama schools, currently based in Wood Green in the London Borough of Haringey. It is a not-for-profit organisation, a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Established in 1945, it was initially run as a drama club based in Crouch End. It now has around 400 undergraduate and postgraduate students, projected to rise to 600 over the next five years, studying on courses validated by the University of East Anglia (UEA), along with a wide range of part-time, community and education projects.
The aim is for Mountview to move into the newly-refurbished Hornsey Town Hall in 2015. The Hornsey Town Hall is owned by Haringey Council. It is proposed that Mountview will be the sole tenant with responsibility for the management and maintenance of the building with a 125 year lease at a peppercorn rent.
3. About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.9billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
For further information and images, please contact: David Bumpstead, Press and Publicity Manager, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Tel: 020 8829 0036.