Category / History of the Arts Centre

Part 5: Into the 21^st Century

Over the ensuing years there have been major front of house improvements.  Land at the rear was acquired in 1995.  2001 saw the Phoenix Room extension.  Asbestos was removed in 2004 and more …

Part 4: A Phoenix From the Ashes

In the early hours of Thursday 24^th June 1965 a catastrophic fire broke out in the next-door premises occupied by a builders merchants and an electricians shop.

“Despite the best efforts of …

Part 3: Grand Opening of the Old Market Playhouse

The Old Market Playhouse had its Grand Opening in November 1957 with a performance of “The Sleeping Monk” with proceeds going to the restoration fund of St Peter’s Church, Shaftesbury’s only …

Part 2: The Purchase and Conversion of the Upper Market Hall

They were also busy getting “Charley’s Aunt” ready for Shaftesbury’s Festival of Britain programme in the summer of 1951 and had lost the loft they had been using as …