Alexandra Park & Palace: recent and future developments

R. Kane5 July 2010

Original Concept

• Park opened 1863; Palace opened in 1873

• Features: - concert hall- displays re. achievement- picture galleries- Gardens- Theatre- Exhibition hall • The park hosted fetes, horse racing,

balloon ascents and firework displays

1900 statutory duty to ‘uphold, maintain and repair the Palace and to maintain the said Park and Palace as a place of public resort and recreation and for other public purposes.’

‘Palace of the People’

Alexandra Palace today

Ownership

1900: Act of Parliament enables Trustees to buy Park & Palace on behalf of the public

1960s: GLC took over trusteeship

1980: LB Haringey became sole trustee (2nd fire)

1981: AP&P Charitable Trust registered

1999: AP Trading Limited formed2008: Aborted attempted to grant a lease to

Firoka to run the venue for 125 years

2008: AP Trading Limited re-invigorated

Administer 1900 Act

Annual subsidy

Responsibility to locals

Trust governance invested here

Maintenance and repair

Charitable status

Commercial delivery

Operational responsibility

Profitable aim to reduce subsidy

Prime venueProtect

PromotePreserve

Interim General Manager

Fire Officers

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Parks Contractors

Admin Assistant

Office Manager/PA

Senior Fire Officer Interim FMParks Manager

Receptionist

Park Leaseholders

Integral maintenance

contract

Security Contract

Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust

Managing DirectorRebecca Kane

Sales DirectorVACANT

Head of CateringJames Goldberg

Head of Finance/Company Secretary

Helen Downie

Head of Events & Leisure

Stephen Garner

Executive AssistantAmanda Sears

Marketing Manager Charlotte Johnson

Alexandra Palace Trading Limited

Aims of APTL

1. Generate profit to gift aid to the Trust for the upkeep of the asset

2. Create the recreational content / activity for Alexandra Palace

The asset is in a state of disrepair – within 12-24 months major failings will be inevitable

Alexandra Park & Palace to be a vibrant, profitable

destination venue offering activity 365 days a year

Major Strategic Issues1. FINANCIAL

•£2.5m income per annum

• 40-50% building derelict (£30m works required)

•Theatre: ‘Buildings at Risk’ register

•Leaks, poor repair, out-dated, vandalism

•£39m deficit on Trust’s books

Major Strategic Issues2. GOVERNANCE ISSUES:

• Weak

• Trustees: x7 local councillors and 3 non-voting reps.

• No independent trustees.

• Lack of independent Chair.

• Highly politicised in nature.

• Trustees’ conflict of interests and lack of continuity

• 1900 Act - restrictions

Major Strategic Issues

3. VISION ISSUES:

• Failed strategy to hand AP to a developer

• No alternative strategy / vision

• Lack of confidence in articulating AP&P vision

• Artificial divide between Trust & Trading

Major Strategic Issues

4. PUBLIC PERCEPTION

ISSUES:

• Inward-looking and fearful culture

• Lack of media strategy

• Local interest

• “selling off the family silver”

• Poor brand with huge potential

Alexandra Palace – current governance

LB Haringey(Sole trustee)

APPCT Board

Statutory Advisory

Committee

Consultative Committee

Panel

APTL Board

Local Stakeholder

interests

reps

observers

observers

Local Stakeholder

interests

reps

GOVERNANCE AND FUTURE VISION

Project Objectives:

1. ‘Fit for purpose’ Board/s, structures, processes

2. Vision for regeneration

Progress to date:• Aspiration of financial independence• Preferred structure / means of achieving independence TBA• Commission further legal work• Request creation of a Master Planning working group

Timeline and Process

29 June: Independence / more legal workJULY: Political briefings / Eden + Bexley

Stakeholder engagementSEPT: Updates throughout 5 Oct: Agree structural optionNov/Dec: FULL COUNCIL

IMAGE AREA

The Great Hall The atmospheric and historical Great Hall is ideal for

banquets, concerts, exhibitions and large conferences.

•6558 sqm of pillar free event space.

•Hosted the likes of the MTV Awards,The Rolling Stones and The Arctic Monkeys.

•Home to prestigious corporate clients such as Royal Mail and Microsoft.

•Looked over by ourWorld famous organ which is over 100 years old.

The versatile West Hall, our second largest room is also ideal for conferences, award ceremonies and live events. The West Hall

•2740 sqm with full blackout.

•Home of The World Darts Championships, UK Nike 5-a-side

tournament and a visit from Bill Clinton.

IMAGE AREA

An elegant welcome from Palm Court, our main entrance; A beautiful 19th century glass domed atrium filled with palms and fountains. Ideal for registration, receptions, retail and networking.

The Palm Court

IMAGE AREA

The Palace in Action

£2m investment….

Thank you

I would be delighted to answer any questions