The survival of the Priestley Centre for the Arts in Bradford is looking increasingly hopeful following the creation of a working group of arts professionals that has been set up to devise and action plans for the centre’s future.

Joint administrators Julian Pitts and David Wilson of business rescue, recovery and restructuring specialists Begbies Traynor in Leeds, are confident that the group will breathe new life into The Priestley, and allow Bradford to retain the renowned arts and cultural venue.

Chaired by Jenny Wilson, an independent consultant and practitioner working in the arts, and former arts and festivals development manager for Bradford Council, the working group also includes representatives of Fabric – Bradford’s arts development organisation, and a number of other professionals with experience in arts venue management, production and finance.
 
In close collaboration with current and potential users of The Priestley, as well as trustees, volunteers and other stakeholders, the working group’s objective is to take The Priestley in a new direction, with the vision for it to become Bradford’s ‘creative hub’ for predominantly, professionally produced drama, comedy, music, film and visual art. Artists and organisations presenting semi- professional emerging and amateur work at the venue will benefit from working alongside professionals and finding a route into Bradford’s wider creative and cultural sector. Furthermore, the group hopes to realise the venue’s potential as a vibrant and relaxed social point for the city’s residents to enjoy.
 
The working group is also looking at sources of funding to enable the venue to satisfy its creditors and put a professional management team in place.
 
Jenny Wilson, chair of the working group, comments: “The Priestley has the potential to become Bradford’s most important creative space - a lively, vibrant venue in the city centre. People have been saying for years that the city centre needs a place where people can meet, see interesting events and develop new ideas.

“With more people moving into Bradford, this presents a great opportunity for both the city centre population and the wider community to enjoy and participate in exciting and original entertainment.”
 
Before Christmas (2007), the Priestley Centre for the Arts, which is a registered charity, appointed Begbies Traynor following continuing trading difficulties. Going forward, the joint administrators will continue to assess the working group’s proposals before making a decision about The Priestley’s future.
 
Julian Pitts, partner of Begbies Traynor’s Leeds office, says: “For many years, The Priestley has contributed significantly to the arts scene in Bradford. Its survival means a great deal for so many people in the city and beyond, and in partnership with the working group we are continuing to focus our efforts on securing its future by attracting new management and re-structuring finances.”
 
The Priestley has its origins in the early 1930s when Bradford Civic Theatre was founded as a branch of the Leeds Civic Theatre. It changed its name to Bradford Playhouse & Theatre in the late 1950s and was re-named The Priestley Centre for the Arts in the mid 1990s, coinciding with its refurbishment following a fire. The name reflects the fact that the company’s first honorary president was J B Priestley. His son Tom Priestley is the current president. The 290 seat theatre retains its Art Deco façade and auditorium but was re-equipped with modern equipment after the 1990s fire.
 
Begbies Traynor is part of the Begbies Traynor Group plc, an AIM listed specialist professional services organisation, providing independent professional advice and solutions to businesses, financial institutions, the accountancy and other professions and individuals in areas of finance, recovery, investigation and risk management, specialist financial advice and commercial finance.