Windsor arts are back on track

Windsor's Arts Centre is back in business - more than eight months after its shock closure.

The much loved venue in St Leonard's Road will have a new name and a new team in charge, consisting of MD Dan Eastmond, Operations Director Pete Dolan and Programme Manager Sam Hunt.

Dan 38, was chosen by Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council from a number of applicants to take over after the old arts centre hit the financial buffers. He set up a company to run the renamed Firestation Centre for Arts and Culture and now it is reopening on Monday, September 1 with a major launch on September 12.

He wants to showcase and support new works and breaking artists at the Firestation, while reviving the old Arts Centre's policy of welcoming top names. 

The two main performance spaces the Auditorium and Basement Studio are both being refurbished. The much loved theatre, built in the idiosyncratic space of the former court room, will be an intimate performance venue and cinema seating upwards of 160 people.
While the Basement Studio, a 170 capacity venue, is intended to become the epicentre of the local live music scene.

For more see this week's Express.