STORMS which have battered the nation over the past year have severely damaged one performing arts college - whose members are now appealing for help to fix the issues in order to stay open.
Nova Arts, on Peel Parade in the town centre, has been facing issues with leaks for a while now, though say that they ‘can’t work quick enough’ to handle the problems as they arise.
Though following a series of storms this year - such as Storm Darragh, which hit the nation two weeks back and led to the council having to close the highly-anticipated Christmas market over health and safety concerns - have meant the problems are now worse than ever.
Having run for four years now, this latest damage - which has had a major effect on the roof, causing leaks throughout the building - is threatening the non-profit college’s future.
To keep things going for subsequent generations, the team have begun a Go Fund Me appeal to help cover the costs of refurbishments.
Director of the college, Lisa Beebe, told the Chronicle: “Everything we’ve been trying to do keeps getting damaged due to the issues with the roof.
“We can’t pay for those repairs now and it’s stopping us from taking in more students next year because there’s less space.
“We’re having to do everything downstairs due to these storms - we’ve got to get this roof fixed, we’ve already paid a lot for repairs that have just not worked.”
The appeal also aims to gather funds that can improve facilities, providing new studios and socialising areas - though these are intended for the long-term after the major issues are resolved.
They have already received a massive donation from the Sheffield-based steel market insight provider MEPS International, who donated £1,000 to the cause, which Lisa said is ‘massively appreciated’.
“I’m aware that it’s Christmas time and there are so many causes needing support,” she added.
“I do feel bad asking for help - the appeal’s gone out to the public but if businesses can support us with cheaper materials or voluntary hours that would be great too.
“It’s not all about money, any help is appreciated.
“We’re a community based project who are supposed to be catering to the community - the whole point is making opportunities and developing the skills of people who would not normally have access to that.
“Students are doing some fundraising themselves - we’re the only college of this type in the area and want to carry on.”
MEPS International director, Jayne Craven, said: “When a member of the MEPS team, who has links to Nova Arts, told us about the issues they were facing we were only too happy to help.
“MEPS is a family business which has been celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2024.
“Throughout that time, we’ve always done our utmost to support local causes and we’re really pleased that the students at Nova Arts College will benefit from that approach.
“As they say in the arts world, the show must go on.”
