LEAD by Warrington CEO Simon Richards, Pursued By Bear has unveiled its ground-breaking online marketplace designed to reshape the landscape of the theatre industry.
Developed with the support of a grant from the UK Government’s Innovation and Research Prize for the Creative Arts, Pursued By Bear introduces a pioneering concept that enables producers, and other businesses within the industry, to share and rent props and costumes, fostering both financial growth and sustainability within the sector.
The brainchild of an experienced, North West team, Pursued By Bear provides a unique and innovative solution to the key challenges faced by the sector. By facilitating the rental and reuse of under-utilised stock among industry professionals, the platform not only opens up new revenue streams for businesses but also contributes significantly to the ongoing discourse on sustainability in the theatre arts.
Ben Richards, Simon Richards, Will Cousins
Traditional practices within the theatre production industry often involve significant investments in bespoke props and costumes, which may see limited use before being retired or stored indefinitely. Any rentals that take place typically require in-person viewings and can result in constrained inventory options.
Pursued By Bear transforms today’s model with a user-friendly online platform that provides seamless transactions. The digital marketplace enables creatives to easily search its extensive catalogue and access big-ticket items to unlock creativity and support the development of shows.
“The industry is facing unprecedented pressure to embrace sustainability, with a staggering 77% of audience members anticipating theatres to proactively address the climate emergency” said Simon Richards, CEO at Pursued By Bear, who is originally from Warrington.
“Pursued By Bear is not just a platform; it’s a movement within the theatre production industry. We are thrilled to unveil a solution that not only empowers production companies economically but also champions the cause of sustainability.”
“This initiative has been made possible through the support of the UK Government’s Innovation and Research Prize for the Creative Arts, and we are confident that it will leave a lasting impact on the theatre community, promoting collaboration and environmental consciousness.”
For more information, or to sign up for the platform, visit www.pursuedbybear.co.uk
