Merton Council has been shortlisted for a public/private partnership award by the government publication Local Government Chronicle (LGC).

The nomination recognises the council’s work with the Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust (WCTT) and the New Wimbledon Theatre managed by the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) in ‘Raising Aspirations through the Arts’.

The improvements made to the theatre’s stage and back of house areas allow the New Wimbledon Theatre to host major productions such as the recent performances of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which produced record attendances, whilst outreach work with WCTT brought children from our secondary schools in to perform a ‘Schools Centenary Showcase’ celebrating each of the decades of the last 100 years. This was made possible through the ‘community lets’ scheme set up by ATG and the council as part of their arrangements to make improvements to the theatre.

Merton Council cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Martin Whelton said: “Being nominated for this award reflects the hard work of the council’s leisure team and the efforts of the Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust and New Wimbledon Theatre. We are pleased that the improvements will allow the New Wimbledon Theatre to continue staging the best shows and continue to attract full capacity audiences.”

The winners will be announced on 23 March 2011.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

· The Wimbledon Theatre’s centenary years was in 2010