UPDATE TO WATERSIDE'S EXTENDED CLOSURE

01 Mar '21

In light of the government’s recent announcement we will not be holding any live performances at Waterside before 17 May 2021. We will be contacting ticket holders over the next few weeks to process any reschedules and refunds for any shows affected in April and May.

Please bear with us as we are a small team and all working remotely. We are looking forward to welcoming you back later this year. 

  

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STATEMENT FROM WATERSIDE: EXTENDED CLOSURE

27 Oct '20

Over the past few months our team have been shaping our reopening strategy, with plans to open the doors to the venue later this month. This was to include new exhibitions and a series of socially distanced pieces of work, including one of Waterside’s well renowned festive family productions.

However, whilst arts organisations the breadth of the UK have received vital financial support at such a critical juncture, we were sadly unsuccessful in our bid to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)’s Culture Recovery Fund. This, coupled with the enormous financial strain on public services and Trafford Council, has meant we have had to make the difficult decision to keep the venue closed until April 2021. Like so many cultural organisations, almost all of our earned income streams ceased back in March 2020, so our plans to reopen were reliant on the financial support from DCMS.

The extended closure of Waterside is achingly difficult, but we remain hopeful that we have time and space to prepare for an exciting reopening in Spring 2021. We remain focused on next year and have many fantastic events in the pipeline that we know you will enjoy. We want our audiences, artists and participants to feel safe and comfortable in our venue and we will be striving to make the experience as special as ever.

During the huge challenges we have all faced throughout the pandemic, our amazing colleagues at Waterside have been supporting the Council’s critical services and will continue to do so over the coming months.

However in Waterside’s inimitable style we will still be finding ways to support artists and connect with our audiences. In the coming days we’ll be launching a brand new digital hub in partnership with Creative Industries Trafford, to deliver the highest quality cultural entertainment that you, our audiences, quite rightly deserve.

Venue Manager, Darren Adams said “Our industry has suffered terribly as a result of the pandemic and Waterside’s overarching commitment will continue to be to our audiences, our community, artists, participants and our team, without whom we would not have such a vibrant cultural economy that enriches the lives of so many.

Like arts leaders and peers worldwide, we are committed to our work, to our sector and whilst many of us remain closed, our dedication to the industry does not falter.

Our truly heartfelt thanks for your continued and unwavering support during these challenging times, from the Waterside team, who are all so looking forward to welcoming you back here in the future.”

DONATE TODAY

If you are able, please support arts and culture at your local venue by donating to Waterside’s Waiting in the Wings campaign. This will enormously help the venue, but also artists and important cultural projects across Greater Manchester.

You can donate quickly and easily here using the online portal below managed by Trafford Council.

We are humbled by the support and kind words we've received from everyone during this challenging time. Thank you for your ongoing support.