Fiona Billingham, James Hunt and Hamish Glen

ALLIED Irish Bank (GB) Coventry is the latest business to give its backing to the Belgrade Theatre’s ambitious development plans.
The bank has pledged its support as a corporate founding partner with a donation of £5,000 towards the theatre’s £10m capital development scheme.
It joins Arden Shields Recruitment Services, Burbidge & Son Ltd, Coventry Building Society, Heart of England Co-operative Society and NP Aerospace.
All have become corporate founding partners who are supporting the Belgrade’s fund raising campaign, which needs to raise £1m towards the theatre's £10m redevelopment costs.
This redevelopment of the theatre will create an extension for a second, smaller auditorium, a purpose-built rehearsal space and some refurbishment of the current building.
As part of the Belgrade’s fundraising activities the theatre is offering companies the chance to become corporate founding partners by donating £5,000 and is encouraging local, regional and national organisations to sign up.
“We are very active in the regions we serve,” said James Hunt, senior business manager with Allied Irish Bank (GB), Coventry.
“Our clients value our local understanding, and our local commitment. That’s why we’re proud to have become a corporate founding partner of the Belgrade Theatre here in Coventry.”
“It’s a major undertaking, and the result will be a marvellous asset for the city. We look forward to a long association with the project, and we're already booking our seats for the grand opening next year.”
David Burbidge, chairman of the Belgrade board and member of the theatre's development trust, welcomed the news of another company getting involved with the project.
He said: “I am delighted to welcome Allied Irish Bank (GB) as one of our corporate founding partners. It is great news that they, as a bank which is so committed to our region, have lent their support to the Belgrade development, which will be a major benefit to the cultural life of the Coventry area.”