Race Furniture and Theatres Trust partner for
‘Seating’s Second Act’ to Refurbish Community
Theatre Seating
As part of its 80th-anniversary celebrations, Race Furniture, a leader in high-quality seating solutions, is partnering with Theatres Trust for ‘Seating’s Second Act’—an initiative to refurbish the seating in a selected community theatre. This project is a gesture of gratitude to the theatre industry, which has played a vital role in Race Furniture’s success over the decades. The collaboration aims to provide one deserving UK theatre, which will be selected by Theatres Trust, with a full auditorium seating refurbishment, enhancing the audience experience while supporting the cultural and creative heart of its local community.
Race Furniture has long been synonymous with quality, innovation, and craftsmanship, providing seating solutions for some of the UK’s most iconic performance venues, including the Royal Opera House, Cadogan Hall, and the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle. Partnering with Theatres Trust, the only organisation that supports all the UK’s theatres, was a natural fit. With their extensive sector expertise, Theatres Trust will ensure that the award goes to a theatre where it will have the greatest impact, reinforcing Race Furniture’s commitment to keeping theatres vibrant, comfortable, and accessible for future generations.
Eligible theatres are invited to apply for this refurbishment opportunity, designed to prioritise sustainability by upgrading existing seating rather than replacing it entirely. This approach aligns with Race Furniture and Theatres Trust’s shared commitment to reducing waste and promoting environmentally responsible practices within the theatre industry, ensuring that cherished venues can continue to serve their communities with minimal environmental impact. Representatives from Theatres Trust and Race Furniture will assess applications and select a winner, who will be announced in June 2025. The refurbishment work is scheduled to commence in autumn 2025, in alignment with the selected theatre’s availability.
To qualify, theatres must be located in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, have an auditorium seating capacity of 200 or fewer and host at least 30 live performances annually. The award is not limited to not-for-profit theatres. Any eligible theatre that can demonstrate how it supports its local community and what a difference refurbished seating would make, is welcome to apply.
This partnership with Theatres Trust is our way of giving back to an industry that has been integral to Race Furniture’s success, says John Schofield, Managing Director of Race Furniture. We are excited to collaborate with Theatres Trust, leveraging their expertise and network to support a theatre that truly needs it. This initiative ensures that local theatres continue to inspire audiences with both comfort and style.
Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, adds, We are thrilled to be collaborating on Seating’s Second Act with Race Furniture, a company that shares Theatres Trust’s belief in the vital importance of theatres to their communities. An uncomfortable seat can ruin good night out at the theatre, yet faced with tight budgets, many theatres are unable to invest in seating upgrades. This award will ensure that audiences in one deserving theatre will enjoy the benefits of refreshed seating.
Applications for the refurbishment project are now open. Full details on eligibility and submission can be found on Theatres Trust’s website at https://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/ssa.
