TOM launches £100,000 fundraising campaign to celebrate 200th anniversary
To all of our friends, supporters, fellow creatives and live event enthusiasts,
Today, we are launching a brand-new campaign to raise £100,000 to secure the future of The Old Market!
In 2025 we are celebrating two important milestones, two hundred years of the building and one year as an independent charity – but we need your help.
As some of you may know, TOM was re-opened in 2011 by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, the creators of STOMP, along with Loretta Sacco as venue director. TOM is where Steve and Luke first performed together in the 1980’s. They had a vision of resurrecting the venue where they cut their creative teeth, to give back to the city they love, to give back to the industry and to provide a creative hub for emerging artists and audiences to share new experiences together. Over the last 14 years, they have invested their time, industry knowledge and finances into making the theatre the very best it can be.
Since April 2024, we have operated as a separate, independent charity – The Old Market Charitable Trust. We have made huge strides towards financial independence, setting up new income streams, reducing our costs and receiving support from external Trusts and Foundations.
But all of this has occurred against uncertain times. Independent grassroots venues are facing unprecedented challenges, from rising energy bills, changing audience behaviours, reduced public funding, and the impact of the wider cost of living pressures. Not a day goes past without a local institution or hidden gem being lost. We are determined not to let that happen to TOM.
We need to raise £100,000 by December this year to ensure our survival and longevity. We will use this funding to ensure we continue to deliver our flagship Reigning Women Season, continue to pioneer and develop new immersive live event formats (like our In The Box events), support local emerging artists through labs and commissions, and work across the city with our partners not only in the arts sector but also education, wellbeing, training and health. We will also continue to improve the building for audiences and artists alike (with some exciting news on this front coming very soon!).
We know that money is tight for everyone right now, but if you can, please consider giving TOM a birthday present by donating to The Old Market. Even more vitally, please tell everyone you know. Tell them you support The Old Market, because as an independent venue, your support will guarantee our survival.
Our campaign has a plethora of rewards available too – from social media shoutouts to a new supporter’s board, name dedications and even a lifetime TOM500 membership!
You can find out about this and more at www.theoldmarket.com/birthday
To all of you who have supported us up to now - THANK YOU! We rely on your generosity to survive and are motivated by your continued messages of support.
We hope to celebrate with you all in the very near future – hopefully with a big birthday cake!
- Team TOM x
The Old Market Charitable Trust is a registered charity (No: 1181447)