IT was in 2001, while still in temporary facilities, that Number 8 employed arts liaison officer Charlotte Beard to begin building audiences for the future and establish an education programme.

Groups sought Charlotte's advice and worked in partnership to offer arts opportunities for the district, including a cultural arts project in a local school, African dance residency in an adult day centre and art project with the youth service,

There was also a gallery exhibition by a member of the Shaw Trust, educational training events with Rural Opportunities and an 'Awards for All' pilot programme of arts with children with special needs.

Charlotte also began working with schools on holiday art schemes, art and craft workshops and drama and singing workshops.

Community groups began hiring the space to run arts and leisure activities and there was also a well-established Film Society, run by members of the Number 8 management team and Pershore and District Film Society. It all increased community awareness of Number 8 and the arts.

During this time, the Number 8 site was predominantly a charity shop with a temporary gallery plus an art and rehearsal space attached. However, even then it was attracting over 1,000 visitors a week.

The Number 8 management team was shrewd in its planning and long-term vision. The work delivered in the three years' build-up to opening the new arts centre was key to its subsequent success.

When building work started in 2004, the Number 8 team appointed Charlotte as its first full-time employee as programming and marketing manager. She was delighted to be able to complete the work she had been initiating for the past three years.

The first three seasons were about trialling ideas to see what did or didn't work. Music is by far the most popular, with Buddy Holly, Tenorissimo and Blazin' Fiddles receiving the most enthusiastic feedback.

The gallery is managed by a steering group of professional artists and chaired by Charlotte. Open exhibitions have been incredibly well-received and will continue to be an annual event. There was also an exhibition created solely for the venue by Chas Perrett, eight motifs of his walk from Pershore railway station to Number 8.

Entering season six, Charlotte said: "We are confident we know what our core audiences enjoy and it is now time to focus on some clear audience development goals."

Key areas in the future include dance, both increasing audiences for shows and participation, and encouraging young people to the venue, building on events like the Battle of the Bands, organised by students at Pershore High School.

The arts and leisure programme is going from strength to strength with community groups and individuals hiring space to run their own events or courses.

Charlotte said: "Demand for the spaces grows by the week. A local facility should be able to offer its own programming as well as provide facilities for others to develop their own enterprises."