Fri 4 Sept 2020
Managing the welfare and wellbeing of our patrons, performers, artists, staff and volunteers amidst the COVID-19 developments.
The South Hill Park Arts Centre building is currently closed to the public, apart from the Atrium Bar & Restaurant which re-opened for indoor dining service Wednesday – Sunday on Thursday 16 July. Social distancing measures are in place to keep all customers and staff safe. The Arts Centre has also begun to hold free live music outside on the terrace on selected Saturdays in August and September, and is showing successful socially-distanced outdoor performances in the Amphitheatre.
Although most South Hill Park staff have been furloughed, we have created a series of online arts activity, which include: Story Time; SHP Sounds; On Your Doorstep and a community art project – Arts and Crafts Bringing Us Together. We have secured funding from Arts Council England to deliver some pilot online courses and our regular autumn term courses and workshops are on sale now. The team at South Hill Park is working with each tutor to implement individual risk assessments for each class and measures to keep students and tutors safe.
If you booked tickets for a performance, cinema screening or course from lockdown in March until the end of August and have not yet been contacted, please bear with us and we will be in touch as soon as possible. To alleviate the pressure on our box office, please do not call or email them at this time regarding existing bookings unless asked to do so. The team have a lot of people to contact and will do so as quickly as possible.
COVID-19 will have significant financial implications for the Arts Centre – a not for profit charity which has been at the heart of our community for almost 50 years. But, South Hill Park is determined, with the support of our loyal patrons and visitors, to emerge from these difficult times more resilient than ever before. On 12 June, the Arts Centre launched a major fundraising campaign to raise £500,000 to save the South Hill Park Arts Centre and enable us to fully re-open later in the year. So far over 900 people have made a donation to whom I send my thanks and gratitude.
We greatly appreciate your understanding and support whilst we continue to serve the community we love. If you are able, please consider making a one off or regular donation by visiting here.
Thank you and very best wishes
Craig Titley
Chief Executive and on behalf of the staff, volunteers, Board of Trustees and greater arts community
This statement is updated regularly in line with advice from Public Health England. For the latest government information please click here.
I am currently self isolating due to illness consistent with corona virus. Can I get refund for a booking I made for Wednesday this week?
Hi Bryan. So sorry to hear you are unwell. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for shows which are still going ahead. However, we can offer a credit note for you to spend on another show at SHP. If you contact our Box Office on 01344 484123 they will be able to help you. Get well soon!
After government advice following the Cobra meeting 16/03/2020, are there any changes to attending current courses?
In light of the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, South Hill Park is currently discussing future plans and will make a formal announcement later today. With so much taking place at the Arts Centre there is a lot to manage. Once we have a better idea of how we will proceed, we will contact all customers who have already made a booking but this will take time and we ask our patrons to be patient with us at this challenging time. Thank you.
Hi in view of theatres closing due to Covide-19 as per our PM’s statement tonight are you closing the show tomorrow and comedy club Friday? If so will there be refunds or postpone tickets to later shows?
In light of the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, South Hill Park is currently discussing future plans and will make a formal announcement later today. With so much taking place at the Arts Centre there is a lot to manage. Once we have a better idea of how we will proceed, we will contact all customers who have already made a booking but this will take time and we ask our patrons to be patient with us at this challenging time. Thank you.
Is the bon jovi tribute still going ahead.
In light of the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, South Hill Park is currently discussing future plans and will make a formal announcement later today. With so much taking place at the Arts Centre there is a lot to manage. Once we have a better idea of how we will proceed, we will contact all customers who have already made a booking but this will take time and we ask our patrons to be patient with us at this challenging time. Thank you.
Hi there. We have tickets for the Bon Jovi tribute on Thursday but we are also unable to come due to the current Covid-19 virus. Happy with credit note. Do we need to call the ticket office or can this be arranged?
In light of the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, South Hill Park is currently discussing future plans and will make a formal announcement later today. With so much taking place at the Arts Centre there is a lot to manage. Once we have a better idea of how we will proceed, we will contact all customers who have already made a booking but this will take time and we ask our patrons to be patient with us at this challenging time. Thank you.
Hi is the kerry godliman show still due to go ahead tommorow night?
Hi David. Unfortunately Kerry’s show has been cancelled but we are in discussions to arrange a new date later in the year. Our Box Office will be in contact once everything has been sorted.
How do I apply for either a credit note or refund for the 3 performances I was due to see at SHP which are now cancelled due to Covid 19?
Hi Carole. Our Box Office will contact you, either by phone or email, in due course to arrange either a credit note or refund for your 3 bookings (or to inform you that the shows have postponed to a later date). They are super busy at the moment contacting everyone – so hold tight and they’ll be in touch shortly.
It is now very clear that the Government “Advises Against” attending theater shows etc. and a number of theaters and cinemas have already closed their doors. Why is it taking you so long to follow suit?
Hi Andy. The welfare of our patrons, performers, artists, staff and volunteers is our top priority. We have cancelled all performances, cinema screenings and courses/workshops from Wednesday 18 March until Sunday 5 April (but this may be extended to follow government advice). Whilst the building remains open, there are no theatre shows or cinema screenings taking place. If government policy changes to enforce the closure of public spaces, we will of course take extra steps at that point.