A new centre celebrating a famous son of a historic North Staffordshire town has taken a major step forward.
A ceremony marked the handover of the keys to 23-25 Merrial Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, which will become the base for the Astley Centre for Circus & Performing Arts.
Commemorating Philip Astley, the man regarded as the father of the modern circus, the empty building, owned by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, has been renovated using Government funding.
The centre will house a museum, research centre and a training and teaching facility and will be run by a Community Interest Company (CIC).
Funding for the project comes from the Borough Council’s successful £23.6 million Newcastle Town Deal bid, which also includes reviving the ‘Zanzibar’ gateway to the town centre on Brunswick Street and bringing Keele University into the town centre to promote digital learning.
Andrew Van Buren, Director of the Philip Astley Project CIC, said: “We are looking forward to unveiling this newly transformed premises, a place for amazing things to happen.
“The Philip Astley Centre will help generate extra footfall for the town, plus a renewed vibrancy within the town centre.”
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “The Astley Centre for Circus & Performing Arts is a distinctive project which not only celebrates the life of one of Newcastle’s most interesting sons, but is full of potential for the future.”
Philip Astley was born in Newcastle in the 1700s, the son of a cabinet maker, and after a military career became known for his ‘trick’ horse riding.
Having opened a riding school in London in 1769, Astley began performing equestrian shows for the public, which expanded into performances featuring clowns, tightrope walkers, jugglers and dancing dogs.
