Theatre to get £2.5m grant from Bet365 boss

Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre is to get a £2.5m grant from the charity set up by the billionaire boss of Bet 365.

The money from the Denise Coates Foundation will be split over five years.

Coates is one of Britain’s wealthiest women and her company owns Stoke City football club.

“We are so grateful to the Denise Coates Foundation for their generous support of our vision, that people from our area experience the highest quality theatre making on their doorstep,” said artistics director Theresa Heskins.

“This grant is a fantastic endorsement of the quality of our work and means that we can continue to develop the level of artistic ambition and creativity that our audiences value so much.”

Coates said: “This area is so lucky to have the New Vic, its productions bring joy and entertainment to so many.

“This additional investment will further enhance the quality of its output and I am delighted that the Foundation is able to play its part in enabling the New Vic to take that next step in the delivery of its artistic ambition.”