A new manager has taken over at the refurbished Alderley Edge Festival Hall this week.
Asked how she felt about her new role, Catherine Jones said, "I've worked in retail management for the past fourteen years and I'm truly excited to have been appointed as the new manager of the Festival Hall. I feel this is an amazing opportunity to develop this stunning hall and realise its full potential for Alderley Edge."
Cllr Rachael Grantham said: "We received over 30 applications for the role. The interviews were carried out at the end of June by Cllrs Hall, Browne and myself, as well as our parish clerk Anne Ross. We were unanimous in choosing Catherine as our stand-out candidate."
After a major refurbishment the hall now boasts a performance space with a capacity of more than 300 people, with easy disabled access. It also has a new bar which is linked to a smaller meeting room.
Ward Councillor Craig Browne said, "After the refurbishment we now need to make people aware of the great facilities that we can offer. So Catherine's priorities will be to develop a new website and build the Festival Hall's profile in social media."
Rachael commented "The Parish Council are looking forward to working alongside Catherine in taking the relaunched hall forward. I believe she will be a great addition to the team."
Catherine has had the benefit of a handover and the promise of continuing support from the outgoing Manager, Ashley Dawson. Chair of the Parish Council, Geoff Hall said: "We are very grateful to Ashley for his work in steering the Festival Hall through its refurbishment program, and we wish him well in his new job. Now the reins hand over to Catherine."
Catherine is enthusiastic about her new challenge saying "My mission is to explore new business opportunities and revitalise the hall - ensuring the community is at the heart of what we do. I look forward to meeting many of you in the weeks and months ahead. Do please feel free to call into the hall at any time if you have any questions or if you would just like to meet me in person."
Catherine can be reached by email or by phone on 01625 582150, or during the day at the Festival Hall.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Festival Hall is a superb facility for our village.
Ashley has been appointed as Parish Clerk to the Handforth Parish Council.
He worked a small miracle at the Festival Hall, dragging its activities and finances, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century.
It was a pleasure to work with him.
He will be greatly missed. I'm sure that Catherine will be just as accomplished.