The Royston Venue

15/10/2026

Whilst planning and operational work continues, conversations are already taking place with organisations interested in appearing at The Royston Venue.

We've been speaking with:

🎭 Theatre companies
🎵 Musicians
😂 Comedy promoters
👨‍👩‍👧 Children's entertainment providers
🎙 Guest speakers
🎪 Touring productions
🎮 Interactive event organisers

The level of interest has been incredibly encouraging.

It's clear that organisations see potential in Royston and want to be part of its cultural future.

This work now means we're building relationships and opportunities that can help create a varied programme once The Royston Venue is operational in early 2027!

15/10/2026

We're continuing to invest in The Royston Venue, and this week our stage floor has been professionally sanded back to reveal the original timber beneath.

This is an important step in restoring the stage and ensuring it is fit for future performances, productions, community events and live entertainment. Next, the floor will be coated and finished, providing a durable, professional surface ready to welcome performers back into the spotlight.

It's great to see another improvement taking shape as we continue working behind the scenes to enhance the venue for everyone who uses it.

Keep an eye on our page for more updates as work progresses!

EDIT: Facebook compressed the sound at the beginning, so apologies for any sudden loudness 🫣

14/10/2026

There are still some important milestones ahead of us, particularly around planning and the final preparations needed to operate the venue safely and successfully.

However, if everything progresses as expected, our ambition is to launch in early 2027.

There is still a great deal of work happening behind the scenes. Planning applications need to be submitted and determined, operational systems need to be finalised, volunteers need to be recruited and trained, and programming needs to be developed ready for opening.

We're making good progress, but it would be irresponsible to promise a specific date before these key stages have been completed.

What we can say is that we're working towards opening as soon as possible, whilst ensuring we create a venue that is sustainable, professionally run, and ready to deliver the experience Royston deserves from day one.

We'll continue to keep residents updated as major milestones are reached and, when we are able to announce an opening date, you'll be among the first to know.

Until then, we'd love to hear your thoughts on what you'd like to see at The Royston Venue!

13/10/2026

One of the questions we're often asked, including during our recent consultation, is how The Royston Venue is being funded.

The Royston Venue is a project of Royston Town Council, and like many community facilities, it is being developed using public funds.

The Council has chosen to invest in the venue because it believes Royston deserves a vibrant cultural and community space that can benefit residents for years to come.

That investment has already helped fund essential improvements to the building, including new sound and lighting equipment, alongside work to prepare the venue for a wider programme of events and activities.

Our aim is not to create a profit-making venture. Instead, we want to establish a sustainable venue that can cover its operating costs while providing opportunities for entertainment, culture, learning and community activity in the town.

Once open, income from ticket sales, venue hire, refreshments and other activities will help support the venue's day-to-day running. Any future surplus would be reinvested back into the venue, helping improve facilities, expand programming and support its long-term future.

As with all Town Council projects, spending decisions are made through public meetings and democratic processes, ensuring transparency and accountability to local residents.

The Royston Venue is being created as a community asset, with the ambition of delivering social, cultural and economic benefits that extend beyond the building itself!

13/10/2026

Looking for unique Christmas gifts while supporting local makers? We're delighted to be hosting the much-loved Royston Craft Fair by No.3 Royston on Saturday 21 November and Saturday 12 December at The Royston Venue.

Now in its 12th year, the fair brings together talented local crafters and artists offering handmade gifts, decorations, artwork and more.

Pop along, discover something special, and support local creatives this festive season ✨

Please see the original post from No.3 Royston for full details!

NEW DATES AND VENUE FOR 2026! The Royston Craft Fair has been running since 2014, and we pride ourselves on showcasing local craft, with all stall holders selling what they've made/designed. In 2026 we're moving back to our original day and venue - Saturdays at Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, Ro...

12/10/2026

The programme for The Royston Venue is being built around six core pillars.

🎬 Cinema
🎭 Stage
🎤 Sessions
💬 Conversations
🎨 Create
🤝 Community

Together these create a balanced programme that can appeal to different ages, interests, and audiences.

One week could see a blockbuster film, a comedy night, and a children's workshop.

The next might feature touring theatre, a local music performance, and a guest speaker.

By mixing regular favourites with new experiences, The Royston Venue can become a destination people want to return to again and again.

Which of these pillars interests you most?

10/10/2026

Today is - a listening ear can mean more than we realise.

This year’s theme - “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change” - is a reminder that when people feel genuinely heard, it can ease loneliness and support better mental health.

In a town like Royston, small moments of connection matter. Checking in with someone and simply listening (rather than rushing to fix or reply) can help them feel valued and less alone.

The Mental Health Foundation has practical tips on active listening if you’d like to strengthen this skill:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/world-mental-health-day

09/10/2026

We're happy to help spread the word about the Big Makers Fair, organised by Herts Visual Arts, which is coming to Royston Town Hall for the first time this November.

Bringing together around 30 artists and makers, the fair will showcase a wide range of handmade work, including jewellery, ceramics, textiles, glass and much more. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their creative process, and purchase unique handcrafted pieces directly from the people who made them.

Whether you're looking for a special Christmas gift, a treat for yourself, or simply a creative day out, it's a great chance to discover high-quality arts and crafts all under one roof!

📅 Friday Evening Preview: 13 November, 5pm-8pm
📅 Fair Open: 14-15 November, 10am-4pm
📍 Royston Town Hall

Please note that this event is organised by Herts Visual Arts and not by The Royston Venue. We're simply helping to share a great event taking place at the Town Hall 😊

🔗 https://www.hvaf.org.uk/event/big-makers-fair/

08/10/2026

What exactly is The Royston Venue?

That's one of the questions we were asked most during our recent community consultation.

The simple answer is this:

The Royston Venue is much more than a cinema.

Whilst cinema will remain at its heart, our vision is to create a cultural and community venue that brings people together through entertainment, creativity and shared experiences.

That means films, theatre, live music, comedy, talks, workshops, creative activities, community events and much more.

Our aim is to create a place where residents can discover something new, enjoy a night out locally, learn a new skill, celebrate local talent and connect with others.

Everything we're building is guided by five values:

✅ Community
✅ Partnership
✅ Inclusion
✅ Sustainability
✅ Quality

This is not about recreating what was there before, but about creating something that can serve Royston for years to come.

07/10/2026

Wow - we went into yesterday's consultations feeling a little nervous, but we came away absolutely blown away by the support, feedback and enthusiasm we received.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to come along, share your thoughts and help shape the future of The Royston Venue. Your ideas, comments and encouragement will play a vital role in helping us create a venue that truly serves our community.

For those who couldn't make it yesterday, or would simply like to watch it again, here's the video we shared during the consultation. It was created to give a flavour of the atmosphere, opportunities and community spirit we're striving to bring to The Royston Venue.

If you couldn't make it yesterday, we'd still love to hear from you - our survey remains open online for the next week and can be completed here:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/MuyAqLCx3H