Operation Scope: The Search to Find a New Home for Face Front Theatre

Face Front has been creating theatre that pioneers social change for 25 years. Based in Edmonton Green, Enfield, our inclusive, community-driven theatre company empowers adults and young people with learning disabilities and difficulties through participatory groups and performance opportunities.

We’re now preparing for our next phase: securing a permanent home and the future of Face Front.

The Need for Space and Stability

Face Front delivers multiple groups each week despite growing challenges: rising rental costs, an uncertain future for our current site, and the often lack of consistent and available workshop space.

So, we’re embarking on a mission to find a space we can truly call our own: a venue that reflects our values of community, creativity, and inclusivity. Our ideal space includes:

• An office for our staff team
• A workshop studio big enough for our growing participatory groups
• A fully accessible environment to meet the needs of our beneficiaries
• A location still rooted in Enfield, close to our existing base, and accessible by public transport.

How far have we got?

Research Development: Scoping a Potential Site

We’ve already started the process, registering with local commercial estate agents and liaising with Enfield Council departments. We’re also exploring opportunities with specialists who handle unique properties like repurposed churches or heritage buildings.

We’ve reached out to the Enfield Society and are investigating properties on the Heritage at Risk Register.

We’re also tapping into agencies including the Theatres Trust, which monitors the ‘Theatres at Risk’ list.

Looking Ahead: Planning and Preparation

Once a potential site is found, we’ll begin a process of due diligence. That means site surveys, leasehold/freehold assessment, input from structural engineers and architects, and, importantly, community consultation.

Fulfilling Our Vision: The Finances

As well as researching potential new homes, we understand that without the funding we won’t be able to bring our plans to fruition, so in advance we’re researching potential funders.

The Heritage Lottery Fund prioritises projects that preserve heritage and revitalises spaces with local history. If we choose a historically significant building, this could be a perfect match.

The Arts Council England’s Capital Investment programme will align beautifully with our mission to secure an accessible, inclusive, participatory space.

There are also trusts and foundations who could be applied to for different aspects of our capital project.

Our Grand Scheme

This is more than just a relocation, it’s an opportunity to redesign Face Front’s future. A permanent home means stability for our team, continuity for our programmes, and a welcoming, creative space for our users and beneficiaries.

This is a not a project that we can fulfil immediately but we’re laying the foundations now with the hope that by 2030 we’ll be settling into a new home.