THE ASSEMBLY HOUSE TRUST
The objectives of the Charity are for the benefit of the public to preserve, renovate and keep in good order the buildings known as The Assembly House in Norwich so that they may be used primarily for charitable and other purposes.
Objects
THE OBJECTS ARE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESERVE, RENOVATE AND KEEP IN GOOD ORDER THE BUILDINGS KNOWN AS THE ASSEMBLY HOUSE IN NORWICH SO THAT THEY MAY BE USED PRIMARILY FOR CHARITABLE AND OTHER PURPOSES AND IN PARTICULAR:3.1 TO PROVIDE AND PROMOTE THE USE OF THE BUILDINGS KNOWN AS THE ASSEMBLY HOUSE IN NORWICH FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THOSE LIVING IN NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK, IN PURSUANCE FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:3.1.1 TO PROMOTION OF THE ARTS, IN PARTICULAR THE PERFORMANCE OF PLAYS, DRAMA, MUSIC, OPERA, BALLET AND ANY OTHER WORKS OF ART, THE SHOWING OF FILMS AND OTHER VISUAL IMAGES FOR EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC OR ARTISTIC PURPOSES, THE EXHIBITION OF PICTURES, DRAWINGS, SCULPTURES AND OTHER ARTISTIC, LITERARY OR SCIENTIFIC WORKS;3.1.2 TO PROVIDE A MEETING PLACE AND OTHERWISE ASSIST IN THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATION OR OTHER LEISURE TUNE OCCUPATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF NORWICH, NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK, PROVIDED IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE; AND3.1.3 SUCH OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AS THE TRUSTEES THINK FIT AND WHICH ARE EXCLUSIVELY CHARITABLE UNDER THE LAW OF ENGLAND AND WALES.3.2 TO PROMOTE THE PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF THE ASSEMBLY HOUSE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total income increased to £295,063 from £284,142 in the prior year, resulting in a net surplus of £25,216. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves stood at £1,072,600, significantly exceeding the stated policy target of approximately £120,000. The charity holds substantial tangible fixed assets valued at £1,305,725 and maintains a long-term bank loan of £418,181.
What the accounts disclose
“The main source of the Charity's income is payments under gift aid from its subsidiary company, Assembly House Caterers Limited.” — page 7
“The Trustees consider that it should be their aim normally to maintain reserves of approximately £120,000 to cover the costs of unforeseen expenditure.” — page 7
“During the year fees totalling £8,545 (2024 - £7,705) were paid to Ian Shann (a trustee) for consultancy services provided to the Trust.” — page 22
“During the year fees totalling £2,400 (2024 - £Nil) were paid to Hansells, a firm in which Miss K Hirst (a trustee) is a partner, for legal services provided to the Trust.” — page 22
“During the year fees totalling £8,545 (2024 - £7,705) were paid to Ian Shann (a trustee) for consultancy services provided to the Trust.” — page 22
“During the year fees totalling £2,400 (2024 - £Nil) were paid to Hansells, a firm in which Miss K Hirst (a trustee) is a partner, for legal services provided to the Trust.” — page 22
“During the year fees totalling £8,545 (2024 - £7,705) were paid to Ian Shann (a trustee) for consultancy services provided to the Trust.” — page 22
Policies the charity declares
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investment
- Risk management
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 05486947
Company officers (Companies House)
- CHINN, Oliver James on trustee list
- PROCTER, Timothy John on trustee list
- HUMPHREYS, Jon not on trustee list
- FISHER, Caroline Jane on trustee list
- BELL, Robert on trustee list
- HIRST, Kathryn Jane on trustee list
- BELL, Robert
Property (HM Land Registry)
Trustees
- Caroline Jane Fisher
- JONATHAN ANDREW HUMPHREYS
- Kathryn Jane Hirst
- Oliver Chinn
- Robert Bell
- Timothy John Procter
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/06/2025 | £295k | £270k |
| 30/06/2024 | £284k | £338k |
| 30/06/2023 | £270k | £240k |
| 30/06/2022 | £249k | £269k |
| 30/06/2021 | £96k | £126k |
Common questions
Is THE ASSEMBLY HOUSE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total income increased to £295,063 from £284,142 in the prior year, resulting in a net surplus of £25,216. Per the trustees' report, unrestricted reserves stood at £1,072,600, significantly exceeding the stated policy target of approximately £120,000. The charity holds substantial tangible fixed assets valued at £1,305,725 and maintains a long-term bank loan of £418,181. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| LILIAN FRANCES HIND BEQUEST (TRUSTEES OF LADY HIND) | 2 | £34k |
| THE GEOFFREY WATLING CHARITY | 1 | £265k |
| The John Gurney Charitable Trust | 1 | £110k |
| THE R C SNELLING CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £55k |
| THE MARTIN LAING FOUNDATION | 1 | £40k |
| THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £37k |
| THE CHARLES LITTLEWOOD HILL TRUST | 1 | £30k |
| THE PAUL BASSHAM CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £11k |
Charities like this
- THE NORWICH HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST LIMITED
- BURGHLEY HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST LIMITED
- THE NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST LIMITED
- HERITAGE ASSEMBLY
- BROMLEY HOUSE LIBRARY
- THE ASGILL HOUSE TRUST LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ASSEMBLY HOUSE TRUST | £295k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE NORWICH HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST LIMITED | £321k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BURGHLEY HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST LIMITED | £17.7m | over £60,000 | 10 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE NORFOLK CHURCHES TRUST LIMITED | £451k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HERITAGE ASSEMBLY | £106k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BROMLEY HOUSE LIBRARY | £505k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |