Sevenoaks Town Council is delighted to announce that thanks to the extraordinary generosity from individuals and organisations in our community, the pledge target needed to help secure the future of the Stag Theatre and Cinema has been reached.
Over 600 community pledges have been made over the last month, totalling over £117,000. It is therefore hoped that the £100,000 donation target will be achieved. Every donation will help protect the Stag as an important cultural asset in Sevenoaks and ensure it remains a thriving community venue for generations to come.
The Mayor of Sevenoaks, Cllr Victoria Granville, said, “Many thanks to the hundreds of people who have pledged their support for Sevenoaks Town Council’s plans to purchase the freehold of the Stag. Your support is a tremendous vote of confidence in the Stag and its important contribution to our local community. It is particularly fitting that this support comes during this civic year, when we are focusing on ‘Celebrating Culture in Sevenoaks’.”
Sevenoaks Town Council plans to purchase the freehold of the Stag as a means of securing this important community asset for current and future generations. To make the purchase possible, the Town Council has called on residents, businesses and Stag supporters to contribute to help safeguard the venue’s future.
The Stag is a valued community venue that supports the cultural life and local economy of Sevenoaks, as well as providing a home for House in the Basement youth café.
The Town Council currently has a lease for the Stag but wants to take over the freehold from Sevenoaks District Council. Freehold ownership will offer permanent security, remove exposure to future landlord decisions and provide the confidence needed to attract major, long-term investment to upgrade the venue and for the wider town.
In order to purchase the freehold, the Town Council is proposing to cover the £650,000 price by combining a Public Works Loan (£350,000), some of the Town Council’s capital reserves (£200,000), alongside community donations.
Now that the pledge target has been reached, Sevenoaks Town Council will shortly contact everyone who has pledged their support to invite them to fulfil their donation.
