Wave Leisure Trust swept the board with three awards at the Seahaven Business Awards, organised by Newhaven Chamber of Commerce, last week.
 
The leisure Trust based in Seaford, won Business of the Year for its continuing project with Shakespeare Hall in Newhaven. Shakespeare Hall was rescued from closure in 2010/11 with a business plan to make the facility a hub for the community within Newhaven.
 
Partnering with Lewes District Council and Newhaven Town Council, the Trust successfully refurbished the facility with over £300k of funding, bringing it back securely for the benefit of the community and ensuring that it was accessible for all and fully compliant with the Disability Act 2004. The hall then re-opened to the public in late 2011.
 
After the successful procurement of Lottery funding, enabling a development team to be appointed, Shakespeare Hall continues to provide activities for the young and disadvantaged residents of Newhaven. Since securing the facility Shakespeare Hall has been able to introduce a programme of activity for seniors and has managed to secure accreditation to run a successful Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
 
Such has been the success of the programme; the facility exceeded it 3 years targets of engaging with young people by 15 per cent within the first ten months of operation. This engagement trend continues and is constantly being increased through initiatives such as the Newhaven Integrated Sumer Holiday Programme.
 
The Trust's Managing Director, Peter Crowley, was also recognised in the category of Business Personality of the Year and was additionally recognised through the President's Award – Lifetime Achievement Award, after nearly 30 years of managing and directing leisure provision within the district.