Ludlow Assembly Rooms has bright future, says new chief

The new director of the Ludlow Assembly Rooms today vowed the venue still had a bright future, despite the threat of funding cuts.

Rachel Buchanan began work today and said she was positive about what the future held.

The 32-year-old, who grew up in Ludlow before moving to London, has pledged to continue to strengthen the venue's programme and include new artwork, exhibitions and shows.

The venue's future had been threatened at the turn of the year when it lost Arts Council funding of £60,000.

Shropshire Council pledged £229,000 over the next three years to give the Assembly Rooms time to replace its lost arts grant.

Miss Buchanan said: "I'm sure we will have a good relationship with the council when they stop the funding. It's not a divorce from the council and we have three years to make plans to deal with it.

"I'm not worried about losing the Arts Council funding because we have lots of other revenue streams and lots of support."