The Earl of Wessex recently attended a fundraising function in aid of Inverclyde’s new Arts Centre at Greenock’s Customhouse.

His Royal Highness is the Patron of the new facility and was visiting the site as construction of the new building got underway.

HRH met with members of the local community and in his capacity as Patron, announced that the new arts centre, which is to replace Greenock Arts Guild, will be known as The Beacon Arts Centre. HRH unveiled a commemorative artwork commissioned for the occasion from glass artist Alec Galloway. It will be placed in the new building for the opening in 2012.

The new name has a strong association with the location of the new theatre since the Georgian lamp which sits in front of the Customhouse, was originally known as The Beacon and as such, was a guiding light for ships mooring at the quayside by which the arts centre will be built.

HRH, who became patron of Greenock Arts Guild last year, has been actively involved in theatre since he attended school and university. In the late 1980’s he worked for two theatrical production companies, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Company, where he was involved in projects such as The Phantom of the Opera. He brings with him a great passion for the arts and a wonderful understanding of the positive benefits that theatre can bring to a community like Inverclyde.

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The recent fundraising function focused the spotlight on the regeneration of Greenock’s historic waterfront and the imminent arrival of Inverclyde’s new state of the art theatre and studio. The new facility will build on the impressive track record of Greenock Arts Guild which has been successfully delivering high quality arts in Inverclyde for 60 years.

The new building will house a 500 seat main auditorium together with a 130 seat studio theatre, 3 large rehearsal rooms and a riverside café / bar with outstanding views over the Clyde. The total project cost is £9.3million.

The Arts Centre demonstrates what can be achieved when you mix a historic location with a deep sense of need in an area with historically high levels of deprivation.

Greenock Arts Guild Chairman, Elliott McKelvie welcomed His Royal Highness, said:

“We are delighted to welcome our patron, His Royal Highness, the Earl of Wessex to Inverclyde to announce the name of our new arts centre. On completion, The Beacon will be one of the finest arts complexes of its size, anywhere in the UK. It will bring quality live theatre and music to audiences from all over the west of Scotland and will also be a vibrant performing space for our community arts groups who have always been such an important part of the cultural scene in Inverclyde.”

(GK)