THE FACTORY OF CREATIVITY
The Factory of Creativity is the Charity name for Hope Mill Theatre which is a small independent theatre based in a grade 2 cotton mill in Ancoats, Manchester which is an area of social deprivation. Hope Mill hopes to grow, letting in new voices and expertise, new ways to support staff, and make the theatre more financially sustainable, develop ways to nurture skills in local people, young and old
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The accounts state that the charity ended the year with negative unrestricted reserves of £65,360, which is below the trustees' stated policy target of £300,000. Despite this deficit, the auditor has reported a material uncertainty regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, although the opinion remains unmodified.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose emoluments fell within the following bands was: 2026 No 2 £60,001 - £70,000” — page 26
“The number of employees whose emoluments fell within the following bands was: 2026 No 2 £60,001 - £70,000” — page 26
“The Trustees aim to hold reserves equivalent to 3 months’ core operating costs, including provision for contractual liabilities: the target figure is £300,000.” — page 8
“These conditions along with other matters explained in note 1 to the financial statements indicates the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast doubt over the group’s ability to continue as a going concern.”
“The Board of Trustees, present their report and the consolidated group financial statements of The Factory of Creativity and its 100% owned subsidiaries FOC Trading Limited and Bolton Troy UK Limited” — page 4
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2026)
Trustees
- DALE EDWARD BASSETTchair
- Darrell John Olsen
- Denis Treacy
- Dr Gillian Mandy
- Ian Tabbron
- Julie McCarthy
- Mario Rene Dubois
- Nicola Brown
- Paul Rowlett
- Peter Robert Wakefield
- Rachel Miller
- Tiffany Chevis
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £2.0m | £2.0m |
| 31/03/2025 | £2.2m | £2.0m |
| 31/03/2024 | £1.7m | £1.8m |
| 31/03/2023 | £1.3m | £1.5m |
| 31/03/2022 | £1.4m | £1.3m |
Common questions
Is THE FACTORY OF CREATIVITY financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the year with negative unrestricted reserves of £65,360, which is below the trustees' stated policy target of £300,000. Despite this deficit, the auditor has reported a material uncertainty regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, although the opinion remains unmodified. Its FY2026 accounts were audited by Hawsons Chartered Accountants.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE FACTORY OF CREATIVITY earn?
Per its FY2026 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £60,001 - £70,000 band, and 2 employees earned over £60,000.
Who funds THE FACTORY OF CREATIVITY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE FACTORY OF CREATIVITY as a grant recipient include THE REED FOUNDATION, DUCHY OF LANCASTER BENEVOLENT FUND.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE REED FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £8k | Christmas Challenge |
| DUCHY OF LANCASTER BENEVOLENT FUND | FY2024 | £2k | Community help |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 11/06/2024 | £198k | "Hope Mill's Big Birthday" |
| UK government | 28/10/2021 | £238k | Culture Recovery Fund: Emergency Resource Support |
| UK government | 22/10/2021 | £32k | Culture Recovery Fund: Continuity Support |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE TOLKIEN TRUST | 1 | £105k |
| THE NISBET TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| THE HEADLEY TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| THE FUNDING NETWORK | 1 | £15k |
| BANBURY CHARITIES | 1 | £9k |
| THE ST MICHAELS AND ALL SAINTS CHARITY | 1 | £8k |
| LORD BARNBY'S FOUNDATION | 1 | £7k |
| The Patricia Routledge Foundation | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- THE HABBIT FACTORY
- TOBACCO FACTORY ARTS TRUST
- THE BOMB FACTORY ART FOUNDATION
- Creation Theatre Ltd
- NEW MILLS ART THEATRE LIMITED
- People's Theatre Collective Ltd
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE FACTORY OF CREATIVITY | £2.0m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 2 | unclear | — | material uncertainty |
| THE HABBIT FACTORY | £191k | — | 0 | below | — | noted |
| TOBACCO FACTORY ARTS TRUST | £1.4m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE BOMB FACTORY ART FOUNDATION | £658k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Creation Theatre Ltd | £668k | Under £60,000 | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NEW MILLS ART THEATRE LIMITED | £124k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |