THE Wharf in Tavistock is up for sale ? ten years after the present owners took it over, writes Roger Malone. The decision to put the arts centre on the market has been taken as a result of two of the four volunteer directors wishing to retire. All four work for the Wharf without taking any payment. Unique in the world of arts centres in that it has never received revenue funding, the Wharf has survived on such cash-saving good will and a tight budget. The Wharf opened in February 1995 and a year later the two sister companies CAM (The Wharf) Ltd and CAM Trading Ltd, took over. Now, just after celebrating their tenth anniversary on February 1, the companies have decided to sell. Managing director of both companies Margaret Hurdwell said: ?We will be sad to go when the time comes. But we hope that who ever takes over from us will maintain the high standards that we have set both in the artistic programme and financial balance.? She said the companies were ?very proud? of what they had achieved. ?We hope we have paved the way for a bright future for the Wharf.? Mrs Hurdwell said they were delighted to have contributed to the cultural profile of the area. ?Over the years we have maintained a reasonably stable financial position ? largely owing to the combination of extensive support from loyal employees, dedicated volunteers and very careful artistic and commercial management.? She said the dedication of unpaid volunteer managers remains undiminished. ?We have to face the fact that they inevitably have to reduce their duties and eventually retire completely.? Mrs Hurdwell said they had spent a great deal of time seeking revenue funding from West Devon Borough Council, Tavistock Town Council, Devon County Council and the Arts Council so that two new personnel could be employed, but had failed. News of the proposed sale was given by the four directors to staff on Friday evening. Letters were posted to the volunteers and the Friends of the Wharf were formally advised.
