Anyone with a passing interest in the arts who lives in the vague vicinity of Carshalton will know about CryerArts.
The theatre-bar — which was taken over by four local businessmen in 2019 — hosts comedians, theatre shows, musicals, bands, magicians — you name it. In particular, CryerArts is a valued warm-up haunt for top-tier comedians (think Chris McCausland, Harry Hill, Tim Vine), and a spot for covers bands to strum their stuff.
In five-and-a-bit years, the theatre has hosted 650 shows and events, pulling in some 38,000 people.
Now, in the face of mounting energy bills, the theatre's owners have launched a Crowdfunding campaign — aiming to raise around £150,000. Say the owners: "Our building, the old Carshalton Hall, was re-built in the late 1980s and is, frankly, a money pit. The energy crisis brought this into sharp focus as our costs soared and soared. We have three 35 year old boilers to heat the building and they are woefully inefficient. Despite having invested in as much double glazing as we could when we took on the building there are still many single glazed, metal framed windows and doors."
The plan, then, would be to spend the money raised on various 'future proofing' kit-outs (new boilers, double glazing, various other improvements) to ensure the venue's future. Say the owners: "The four directors, despite having invested heavily... have not taken a penny from the business since day one (except for wages where also employed by the company) and dearly wish to safeguard the future of this wonderful community hub."
Harry Hill and Tim Vine have already joined in the campaign, with short videos encouraging people to donate.
