Light House Wolverhampton

Afternoon everyone.

So today was the first time I stepped back into the building since the doors of Light House Wolverhampton were slammed shut, supporting our friends at Medicine Bakery + Kitchen and Digbeth Dining Club. This was an inevitably painful sight.

For all the difficulties myself and fellow staff are enduring right now, which we can't tiptoe around it. There are many. The appetite to fight for a future for this venue is far from empty.

Through continuing to raise awareness. Interest is certainly being drummed up, as you may have noticed in a recent news piece by Express And Star.

Alongside this. You can still sign our petition HERE, which is just shy of 6000 signatures.

https://www.change.org/p/save-light-house-wolverhampton

As things develop. I genuinely don't know how long our socials will stay active. But please know that we are supremely grateful for every single reach out of support since we closed. If we are eventually silenced on this account. Would love to wish you all a wonderful Christmas in advance. Take care of each other and i sincerely hope we cross paths again soon.

Much love
Darryl X
Marketing Manager

Hi everyone. Please forgive me for my silence, I've been trying to digest my thoughts & feelings over the last few days, since the terrible & devastating news broke & have been trying to nurture a very broken heart without avail.

For me it is even more painful, being the longest serving member at Light House, to see such a vibrant, buzzing & vital part of the cultural offer in the city & a lifeline to many, come to such a grinding halt on Thursday night.

There are far too many golden memories and great stories to mention here of the history of Light House, but here are a few.

The transition from film to Digital, the advent of theatre & live satellite streamed content such as NT Live, ROH, The Met etc which brought brand new audiences through our doors.

The introduction of AD&HOH to films through much pushing so that an even wider range of audiences could enjoy cinema too.

I am so proud to have been instrumental in helping with the process of making it all happen, even before many cinemas & even the chains embraced these new technologies.

I can honestly say that we have tested the boundaries of what is possible at Light House and the immensity of the huge range of events and activities that have taken place here is mind blowing on an international scale. Thanks to everyone involved for making this possible and making it happen.

I want to say a heartfelt thanks to all our wonderful and loyal customers, clients & colleagues in the industry, you have all kept us going over the years. We would be nothing without your support and involvement and for loving the venue as much as we have.

A big thanks to all the many staff and colleagues who have made their mark to make the place great and then themselves gone onto big and amazing ventures in their own fields, testament to how much incredible talent, skill and creativity that has been born from this humble place.

So it is a cliche, but it's true, we are and have always been one big happy family. It is so nice that we have known so many of you on a personal basis and on first name terms.

The response on social media has been phenomenal and overwhelming and so heartwarming. I want to thank each and everyone of you personally for the incredible noise you've made and conveyed so loudly the importance of Light House to the city and the region.

I have always believed in Light House and everyone who knows me will know that I will always look forwards with a positive vision for a future of our unique venue.

So long live the Arts and lndependent cinema!
I could keep going but I think I need a book to capture it all in!

So it's not farewell, never say never and let's see where the next chapter unfolds.

Love and peace to all.

Jas Kapur
Cinema, Operations & Technical Manager

Good afternoon everyone.

First and foremost. Thanks doesn't really cut it, when it comes to the tremendous amount of support, love and public outcry we've collectively received after the events of this week. Can't stress enough how much it is appreciated.

We are fully appreciative that for many of you, the tight turnaround in the news breaking publicly and us closing was alarming. I am keen to stress that when we feared back on Monday that we were done. We wanted to break the news immediately. The trigger for me personally was on the matinee Wednesday afternoon. Being asked point blank by a customer 'are you closing?' given the nature of how our Box Office area was starting to look. The fact we had to tiptoe around the issue just didn't sit right with us at all and can only apologise sincerely for those instances in not being straight (pardon the irony) with those who have been so loyal to our venue. Hence the statement put out on Wednesday night referenced by Express And Star.

Now since Thursday. We've been inundated by you guys in how you can help us at this time, whether it be crowd funders, petitions, protests and so forth. I have consulted with management on this already. Whilst there is a degree of trepidation in pleading our case in that way again and being almost 'Oliver Twist' about it. The sheer volume of people suggesting this is prompting a rethink. The active conversations already happening privately also have to be factored into this. Hoping for further clarity and a potential green light on Monday. Completely sympathise with the frustrations in trying to get the ball rolling right now. If you don't mind sitting tight with us over this weekend, that would be brilliant.

For now. Like ourselves. Keep making noise with us about our plight. Keep sharing the news pieces highlighting what's happened. This isn't just our issue. This is very much a national issue now in independent arts venues/organisations not being taken seriously enough in how we enrich communities and our cities as a whole in the long term, by those in power. Without proper support, the sector is in danger of being decimated. We simply CANNOT let that happen.

Let's get the LIGHT back on not just for us. But make sure they stay on for others too.

Many thanks and much love

Darryl
Marketing
Light House x