The Blackpool Grand Theatre has been awarded £60,000 from Arts Council England to help secure the future of touring performances across the country. The funding will support the theatre’s work with the Local Theatre Touring Alliance, a national group formed to address the significant challenges facing mid-scale venues like those in Blackpool.
The announcement comes as a new report commissioned by the Arts Council highlights a crisis in the touring sector. The State of Touring report, published on 15 April 2026, reveals that the number of touring performances dropped by 24 per cent between 2019 and 2024. The data shows that drama productions were particularly affected, with a 72 per cent decline during the same period. The report concluded that much of the industry now requires urgent action to survive.
As a founding member and co-founder of the alliance, which was established as a not-for-profit company in December 2025, the local theatre is playing a key role in finding solutions. Adam Knight, chief executive of the Blackpool Grand Theatre and a board member of the alliance, stated that the theatre is proud to be part of a national movement focused on keeping touring at the centre of the cultural landscape.
The alliance aims to support venues with capacities between 300 and 800 people, which often serve as essential hubs for local culture but are currently under increasing pressure. To address these issues, the alliance is focusing on sharing knowledge between venues and producers, creating pilot projects to test new business models, and raising awareness about the need for sustainable touring. Its initial programme of work includes local workshops, pilot projects, a national event, and the appointment of a national convenor.
This initiative is receiving additional startup support from partners including TRG Arts, Spektrix, and Dynamo Pricing.
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