Theatre launches crowdfunder to replace staircase

A PERFORMANCE venue in west Cornwall has launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise £20,000 to build a new staircase.

- by LAURA DILKS

The Acorn Theatre in Penzance is a converted chapel dating back to 1889 and while all the main theatre areas are fully accessible, with a lift and step-free access, the downstairs theatre, bar and toilets are only accessible via a narrow staircase which can only safely accommodate one person at a time either going up or down.

The staircase originally gave access to the chapel’s Sunday School and was mainly used by young children.

The theatre is now on a mission to raise £20,000 to build a proper staircase to reduce queueing and bottlenecks in the intervals during performances.