WHEN a group of arts lovers founded Arts at the Old Fire Station in 2011, they had no idea how their venture would pan out.

But on Tuesday, the charity arts centre in George Street celebrated its third birthday.

In that time the theatre has put on 500 different shows, sold 12,000 hand-crafted gifts from its shop and now hosts 25 dance classes a week.

Director Jeremy Spafford said: “When we opened it wasn’t clear whether we would get through our first year.

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“Funding was unsure, we didn’t know if we could attract paying customers, there was a lot of uncertainty.

“This party was just to celebrate the fact we’re still here, we’re still young and we still have a lot more ambitions.”

Arts at the Old Fire Station rents its building from Oxford City Council along with Crisis homelessness charity next door.

The two charities’ work often overlaps, with Crisis users getting jobs at the theatre as ushers, and even helping with performances.

Mr Spafford said he was looking forward to a production in February, called Mr Sole Abode, about an architect and inventor who finds himself homeless.

Find out more at oldfirestation.org.uk

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