A WOMAN who has spent more than 25 years in the arts and culture sector has been appointed the new manager of The Witham, in Barnard Castle.
Susan Coffer has taken over from David McKnight, who left the cash-strapped complex in March after less than three months in the job.
After graduating with a degree in dance and drama, Ms Coffer started out as a box office assistant at the Royal Festival Hall, worked in repertory theatre marketing, did a stint at the Aldeburgh festival and was most recently executive director at the Northern Stage, in Newcastle.
Having moved to Warcup, in Cumbria, she expressed an interest in the job at The Witham when it was first advertised last year, but circumstances meant she was unable to progress her application at the time.
However, she impressed trustees who got back in touch with her following Mr McKnight’s departure – and Ms Coffer was happy to accept.
“I was curious about the job and familiar with some of the back story of The Witham,” she said.
“I was overwhelmed when I found out about the support and fundraising that had taken place last year and how quickly the money was raised.
“Given my experience of other venues, I found that quite phenomenal. It demonstrated that there is a real love for this building and a great number of people who did not want to see it close.
“I think there is a tremendous opportunity to harness that and help the organisation move forward on a commercial footing.”
Ms Coffer said her immediate goals included continuing work to put The Witham on a stable financial footing so the centre can “stop panicking about finances” .
She added: “The people of this area deserve to have quality culture on their doorstep.”
Ms Coffer said one of the reasons she had been attracted to the post was the passion and commitment shown by both the small team of staff and the board of trustees.
Ms Coffer’s appointment comes after a difficult year for The Witham.
After struggling to cover day-to-day costs ever since reopening in 2013 after a multi-million pound refurbishment – funded mainly by Lottery cash – the centre reached crisis point last August.
A public appeal to raise £30,000 in 30 days was launched in a bid to save The Witham from closure.
More than £42,000 was raised to help tied the centre over and Durham County Council stepped in with a further £60,000 to secure the immediate future of The Witham. In March, trustees received a grant of £46,500 from Arts Council England to focus on the centre’s programme, while £4,500 was received from the County Durham Community Foundation to fund business development consultancy work.
Meanwhile, regular fundraising events continue to be staged at the Witham to help with running costs.
