TENBURY’S gain is Ludlow’s loss as a new boss has been appointed to help oversee a major development project at the Regal in Tenbury.

Westley Bone will take over as manager of the Regal to help to see it through the next stage of its development in order to make it viable for the future.

He moves to The Regal from the Ludlow Assembly Rooms, where he is Deputy Chief Executive and Programming and Marketing Manager.

Mr Bone has been instrumental in delivering the Assembly Rooms’ programme of performances in alternative and imaginative venues around the town. He is also a Director of the Bridgnorth Music and Arts Festival.

“I fell in love with the Regal the first time I visited, it is a wonderful resource for the community with so much potential and I am proud to be joining the great team there and look forward to taking the Regal forward on the next stage of its journey.”

He replaces Adey Ramsel who left the Regal a month ago to take up a post at the Tamworth Assembly Rooms.

However, the new manager will face the task of helping to take forward a major improvement programme at the Regal.

The venue dates back to the 1930’s and is one of the few remaining examples of small town cinemas build during the period between the two world wars.

Because of its heritage it was the beneficiary of a £600,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund nearly a decade ago to make major improvements and secure the future of the building.

The Regal is owned by Tenbury Town Council that is responsible for the structure of the building but run on a day-today basis by a Trust that is responsible for the programming.

A plan costing £1.5 million to make future improvements to the Regal including increasing community accessibility has been revealed by the Trust.

Stephen Snead, Chair of the Regal Tenbury Trust, has said the proposal is key to making the venue viable.

““I’m delighted that Westley is joining the Regal team at such an exciting time.

“We had considerable interest in the role from across the country and Westley stood out,” he said.

“Westley will play a key role in delivering our vision to provide better facilities for the local community; more high-profile productions; increased opportunities for talented local performers; and more visitors to the town, increasing spend with local businesses.”

Mr Bone will take over as Theatre Manager on Monday. August 19.