A struggling Sevenoaks theatre has received a loan offer of up to £220,000 to ease financial strain caused by the pandemic.

Around 95% of the The Stag Theatre's large workforce have been furloughed, 43 staff out of a total of 45, as theatres have been closed for the last four months.

However, bosses continue to pay out £25,000 each month on maintenance and building security costs as well as the salaries of two staff members.

In light of the financial pressures, Sevenoaks District Council's cabinet unanimously agreed to emergency funds being made available for the The Stag last night, during an online public meeting.

The theatre's business development and marketing manager, Lisa Whitbread, said: “We are very grateful for the offer of the loan which is available to us in the future."

She added: "We will need funding for us to reopen, stay open and survive and that includes the grant funding from Sevenoaks Town Council and the money raised from generous public donations.

"We are still hopeful that we can move forward with confidence towards a brighter future for The Stag.”

The Stag, a not-for profit charity, has recently received £60,000 funding from Sevenoaks Town Council and just over £30,000 from crowdfunding.

After yesterday's cabinet meeting, Cllr Peter Fleming (Con), Sevenoaks District Council leader said: “Coronavirus has had a serious impact on the arts and sadly, many venues may not make it through the lockdown.

"We were determined to help the town council to support this important arts hub that benefits not just Sevenoaks but also the wider district economy."

The London Road site has a 450-seat theatre and has been described as one of the largest stages in the south east.

It also includes a two-screen cinema and shows around 200 touring and community productions a year.

On March 20, UK cultural venues, including theatres and cinemas, were closed indefinitely.

This has had a “significant impact” on the Stag Theatre's income, bringing uncertainty as to when the theatre can fully reopen.

Shows were immediately cancelled and ticket sales were refunded. As lockdown restrictions ease there will still be significant harm to the Stag without cash help.

The two metre social distancing rule would mean that The Stag, in the worse case, would only be able to operate at 12% of its capacity - around 54 seats out of 450.

Unlike many theatre organisations, the venue has cash reserves available but these have become more depleted because of the crisis.

'We are still hopeful that we can move forward towards a brighter future...'

Sarah Robson, Sevenoak's chief council officer for people and places, said the Stag was in a "very challenging situation"and said that help is required because culture remains a "huge part" of the economy of Sevenoaks.

Sevenoaks council's culture portfolio holder, Cllr Lesley Dyball (Con), said the cash boost was needed for the "long term" protection of the community asset. This also comes ahead of an uncertain pantomime season this winter.

A key vote was held by Sevenoaks council’s seven-person cabinet and they unanimously agreed to offer an interest-free loan of up to £220,000 to the Stag Theatre for the next eight months, to cover essential recovery costs.

If accepted, the loan, which is also subject to a payment holiday, must be repaid by April 2022, otherwise the theatre venue will be charged at 6% interest rate.

The Stag reopens in seven days' time and there will be hand sanitisers, full face visors for staff, regular cleaning of all areas and protective screens at the kiosk and box office.

There will also be separate exits and entrances for audiences and The Stag’s ticket system automatically socially distances customers when they book their tickets, theatre bosses have said.

Cllr Nicholas Busvine OBE, Mayor of Sevenoaks said: "We need to keep up the momentum – and take the opportunity to go to the Stag now it is re-opening”.

Donations to The Stag can be made via www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk

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