“We thought it would be a good way to reconnect with the community”- Salford Arts Theatre plans to create a new Secret Garden

New plans have been introduced by Salford Arts Theatre to create a “secret” community garden.

Salford Arts Theatre has launched a survey to find out more about what the community wants and how it can help.

Joint artistic director Roni Ellis said:

“We are in the process of applying for some funding to create the community garden with the community that surrounds the theatre.

“At the side of the theatre there is a tiny bit of land that has not actually had any use.

“We thought it would be a really good way to reconnect with the community and for people to connect with each other as well. “

Credit: Mia Duthil-McArthur

She said:

“We don’t know where the rules are going to lie in three to five months’ time, so having an outside space with an element of undercover will be great.

“We want to make it as accessible as possible so everybody can have an opportunity to embrace the space.”

We have an unused piece of land that we would like to transform into a “Secret Garden” for the community to use. We’d appreciate your help in filling out this short survey so we can get an idea whether this is something our community wants. Thank you! https://t.co/k9UNHYlmw8 pic.twitter.com/04Mm9Vvtxd

— Salford Arts Theatre (@SalfordArts) April 16, 2021

Demetria Papaminas, theatre and performance practice student at The University of Salford, said:

“A new space for the community will be great in bringing people together.

“As a theatre student myself I would definitely consider coming to Salford Arts Theatre once it reopens fully and use the new green space.”

The theatre has suffered with the conditions of the pandemic as many performances have been postponed or cancelled.

Upcoming performances have been scheduled for later in 2021 in hope of things going back to normal.

Ms Ellis stated:

“We’ve got some social distancing performances as long as nothing changes at the end of May.

“Then our hope is then the next part of the easing of the lockdown is June 21^st and we’re hoping at that point we can have more going on.”

To help Salford Arts Theatre with its outside community plans, click through to the survey here