Why have you renamed the venue?

• We felt a fresh new name would give the venue a new start, but honour its heritage. This was decided with feedback from the Nov. 24 Community Survey.

 

How can I see what the new “branding” looks like?

• You can now see it on this website, and download our Digital Flyer. We collaborated with Voodoo in Almsondsbury to come up with a new look. We’ll be using it in the future.

​

What do the new plans for the foyer area look like?

• The Foyer will be improved to reduce congestion, improve the toilets and bar, and provide a stand-alone space for functions. You can view sketches of the new foyer on the Digital Flyer and here on the website. When CAD images and an agreed layout plan are available we’ll add those here too.

 

How much more funding do you need and is it realistic that this will be raised?

• We have pledges for nearly 70% of the funding required, which is quite fantastic at this early stage. Our fundraising consultant, Cath Longley of Good Fundraising has advised that with the amount pledged to date, the remainder can be successfully raised with a continuation of the fundraising campaign.

 

How do you know the estimated costs are realistic?

• Our professional building surveyor, Jo Williams of Sanderson Weatherall Commercial Property Agents & Chartered Surveyors | SW.co.uk has guided us using construction costs data from a national construction cost database, so we are confident the estimates are realistic.  They will be getting quotations shortly.

 

Can I see a full list of the types of events and shows you plan to host?

• Yes, we will have a typical list on this website and will be developing this during the remainder of 2025.

 

Are Thornbury Town Council supporting you?

• The facility is owned by The Armstrong Hall Trust, of which there is 1 trustee, Thornbury Town Council. Those town councillors who represent The Armstrong Hall Trust have agreed to lease the building to us and to donate funds they have previously received towards works on the Armstrong Hall. Those funds were raised by community groups previously called the Dressing Room or Backstage funds and those donated by ACT.

 

How can I help out?

• Please Contact Us and let us know what you would be interested in and we’ll get back to you

 

Who are Thornbury Community and Arts (TCA)?

• We are an organisation that came together with a mission to enable The Armstrong to reopen. There are directors, who as non-paid volunteers have guided the project to its current status. We will soon have a charitable status. We will have new Trustees who will remain unpaid volunteers to direct the renovations and operations of The Armstrong.

 

Why bother with all this effort and cost, when it was running at a loss before and subsidised by Thornbury Town Council?

• The venue will be available for hire by the community and for commercial events as before, but a key difference is that the new venue will also promote events of all types to appeal to the community, which will greatly increase the income making it financially sustainable. There will be a marketing department with a professional Events Manager, online ticketing and a marketing strategy to support this.

 

Wasn’t it dilapidated before and parts past their end of life?

• Renovation of the buildings will bring them up to the very latest standards and with reduced CO2 emissions, and they will be sustainable for many years to come.

 

How is the reopening related to the Museum?

• We have every sympathy with the Museum whose landlord is also the Armstrong Hall Trust. They are another important asset that is loved by many people in the town. Our agreement and lease with the Armstrong Hall Trust are separate and unrelated to the lease the museum has with the Armstrong Hall Trust. As such, we currently don't have any direct relationship with the museum.