Following the Welsh Government announcement that pubs, bars and restaurants can now re-open their outdoor spaces, and that cinemas, galleries and community centres will likely follow by the end of July, in a statement released by Chapter, they have decided they will not be re-opening until later in the Autumn.
Chapter is an arts centre and an important social space. We usually welcome about 800,000 visitors a year through our doors which is testament to the incredible team, artists and creative practitioners, community and supporters who are at the heart of what we do. We want to re-open our doors to everyone and to do this with the most dynamic arts offer that we can.
This means that they need to take the time to make appropriate adjustments to the building.
A statement from Chapter – “Our small team is working round the clock to make sure our visitors, staff, tenants and artistic community are safe. We’ve been busy looking at examples of best practice from elsewhere in the UK and the rest of the world. In addition, we’re about to undertake research with you, our audiences, so that we can better understand how and when you will feel safe to return.”
“We’re very lucky that our building makes it possible to open with social distancing in place – for example our concourse, the extensive café bar area, and with loos on every level. We are working hard to introduce new measures to make Chapter as safe and welcoming as possible. We’re also taking this time to make some capital improvements to our building and will be re-opening with a new bar and ground-floor loos.”
“Our decision to wait is also informed by our need to ensure our long-term future as we head towards our 50th Birthday celebrations. We want to welcome you all back but the impact of the last four months means that we must not take any financial risks. As an arts centre we generate 82% of our own income through sales and this makes us vulnerable when the potential of demand and levels of business remain so unclear. ”
More details of the relaunch will published very soon so please keep an eye on our website and social media channels.
