SHANKLIN THEATRE AND COMMUNITY TRUST was formally set up to save the fabric of SHANKLIN THEATRE initially from the threat of demolition, and then from the ravages of years of neglect.

The Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, with the stated aims:-

To preserve for the benefit of the people of Shanklin and the whole of the Isle of Wight, and of the Nation, the historical building known as Shanklin Theatre and any other buildings or artefacts that define the character of the area (including any structure or erection, and any part of a building as so defined) of particular beauty or historical, architectural or constructional interest.

The Trust wholly owns Shanklin Theatre and also owns Shanklin Theatre Limited, the company that operates it on a day to day basis.

The Charity receives no funding from the Arts Council or any other Government body, and receives no ongoing financial support from the Isle of Wight Council.  In the early stages, grant aid was gratefully received from Shanklin Town Council and the Rotary Club of Shanklin and was also given by Isle of Wight Council during the transfer of the premises to the Trust.