Nearly £160,000 has been raised for Battersea Arts Centre in the wake of a calamitous fire that tore through the 120-year-old building.

Almost 2,000 people have donated just under £60,000 via the National Funding Scheme page. On top of that the iconic Battersea Power Station development has pledged a further £100,000 towards to arts centre.

Wandsworth Times:

Stunning: The arts centre used to be Battersea town hall (Morley Von Sternberg)

The Grand Hall, where the fire appears to have started, is completely destroyed.

Intricate plasterwork, the console of a historic theatre organ and the set for a show, Missing by Gecko, have been incinerated.

At the back of the building the Lower Hall also suffered severe damage, although the full impact on its structure is yet be determined.

The water used to put out the blaze has also damaged other areas, staff offices and technical equipment have also been lost.

Thanks to the London Fire Brigade the front of the building was untouched and able to reopen on Saturday evening, with two sold out shows going ahead as planned.

The show goes on at Battersea Arts Centre with two performances held after 'heartbreaking' fire damage

Wandsworth Times:

Artefacts from Wandsworth Museum, which recently announced a partnership with Battersea Arts Centre, are also safe in a dedicated off-site storage unit.

While an investigation into the fire starts, the centre has expressed its determination to operate as normal as possible.

Shows and workshops, the Scratch Bar and The Bee’s Knees indoor play space, are up and running as usual.

Today the art centre announced their action plan which includes finding new spaces for shows taking place in the Grand Hall, drafting a new financial model in the next 12 months and starting the rebuild.

Wandsworth Times:

Devastated: Sections of the walls are still standing (London Fire Brigade)

The centre is also going to pay for the rebuild of Gecko’s Missing set so that the company can fulfil their upcoming tour to Mexico.

The final phase of Battersea Arts Centre’s Capital Project, due to be completed in spring 2016, is set to continue as planned as the areas undergoing redevelopment are unaffected by the fire.

David Jubb, Artistic Director and CEO of Battersea Arts Centre: “The way people have responded to this event is quite extraordinary. I’d like to thank everyone for their incredible support for Battersea Arts Centre and Battersea’s beautiful former town hall.

“The Battersea spirit, encapsulated in its mid-19th Century motto – Not For Me, Not For You, But For Us – is all around. And all those who are directly involved have been lifted up by this support. Thank you.”