The CentrE17 is a Community Interest Company (CIC), this means that any profit we make goes back into the company and has to benefit the community.

The idea for CentrE17 came out of running the Walthamstow community production. A piece of musical theatre performed and produced by the local community. No one is turned away and everyone who wants to be can be involved. In 2016 we had well over 200 people involved with 150 people performing in the show.

We realised two things when putting the show on. The first was that it was tough finding somewhere in Waltham Forest to rehearse and perform, the second was just how many fantastic creative people we live close to.

The CentrE17’s mission is to become a performance venue run by the community for the community. A venue for Theatre, Music and Performance.

We are based in what was Ross Wyld Hall directly behind Central Parade in the heart of Walthamstow and is now called Centre17. 

We are building a community of artists, dancers, theatre practitioners, actors and sculptors. Also people who specialise in wellbeing practices such as yoga (every Tuesday from 7pm), arts therapies and talking therapies.

The space is made up of a live performance space and seated theatre venue.

We have an exciting programme of events and performances from local professional theatre companies, dance troupes and music groups. This currently includes an ever-growing programme of Edinburgh Previews. Tickets are selling fast. But will also feature immersive theatre, cinema, food and theatre events, talks, workshops and wellbeing classes.

We are partnering with a number of other local businesses and organisations including the Police Youth services and Waltham Forests youth services, Stow Film Lounge and Today Bread as well as local dancers and theatre producers so we can offer a really versatile and interesting program of events and activities.  We have also reached out to Walthamstow Council, The Barbican, Soho Theatre and the Arts Council to support us.

We will offer inclusive music and theatre workshops and long term (ending in performances) community theatre productions.

The CentrE17 will also offer by the hour rental options to its spaces. The cost will depend on the tenant and the size of the room as well as proposed activity.

We will always try and be as competitive as possible and always include (if appropriate) the tenant’s business in our weekly eNewsletter. For regular tenants, we would be looking to help their business grow with well thought out digital marketing activities and advice. Any marketing we do on behalf of our tenants will always tie-back to The CentrE17 insuring maximum exposure for both parties.

In exchange for the competitive rate (sometimes free) and business development the tenant would give some of their time the Back-in-Kind. This could take the form of (for example in the case of a theatre and education group) a two hour long theatre workshop donated for free to The CentrE17. The CentrE17 will then decide the best way to use this, either hosting it within The CentrE17 or offering it out to the wider community.