Joseph Rowntree Theatre opens new bar in Haxby Road venue

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre in Haxby Road officially launched the new audience space at 11am today (August 2), with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Martin Rowley BEM.

Visitors to shows can now order a drink before performances, at the interval and briefly, after the curtain has come down.

The new space offers indoor and outdoor opportunities to relax (Image: Kevin Glenton) For three years, refreshments came via a temporary caravan in the space occupied by the new facility.

Chair of trustees Dan Shrimpton said: “This place is about what started out with a caravan, as we decided we needed a refreshment opportunity, to let us prove it works as a concept.

“We now have got somewhere where people coming to the theatre can go and sit down, if they want to, have a drink and bar snacks, indoors or out.

“There are seats and tables inside and out for visitors to sit back and relax with family and friends – whatever the weather.”

Chair of the theatre trustees Dan Shrimpton with volunteers (Image: Kevin Glenton) Dan said the caravan has been donated to a local charity.

He added: “It’s the first step to having a bar inside the building.

“We have had all sorts of fundraising involved in putting the space together, including a ‘buy a brick’ campaign, which is still going, a put a ball on which raised £16,000.”

The project began in April and will be run by theatre volunteers.

Enjoying the launch hospitality were Richard and Mary Rowson, who have been involved with the theatre since arriving in York from Scarborough in 1958.

Richard and Mary Rowson have been involved with the theatre since 1958 (Image: Kevin Glenton)

The couple, who live in Rawcliffe, said they joined York Light Opera soon after moving to the city, performed in the stage musical Oklahoma!, have helped out in almost every aspect of the daily life of Joseph Rowntree Theatre and are looking forward to coming to the first permanent audience space.

Mary, 89, said: “I think it will be marvellous to have the bar here.

“It will provide shelter from the bad weather.

They need the place for people to stay because the competition is fierce for theatregoers in York.”

Richard, 95, said: “When we were stewards stood on the door and people would ask at the entrance ‘where is the bar?’

“My favourite answer used to be ‘300 yards down there on the right’.”

The Lord Mayor paid tribute to the trustees, theatre management and volunteers as he officially opened the new bar.

The initial planning for the Garden Room is for five years, but during that time the theatre will be planning their next steps of developing and extending the building – the ambition being the outside space indoors.