Theatre supporters fight on despite demolition vote

Campaigners who fought for a theatre to be reopened are set to protest ahead of a meeting where councillors will vote on whether it is demolished.

The Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock closed in April as part of cost-cutting measures by the district council.

Peter Sidgwick, chair of Cannock Chase Theatre Trust (CCTT), said the venue had served more than 70,000 visitors a year, adding: "The community was promised investment in cultural infrastructure. What we're getting instead is demolition."

Cabinet members meeting on Thursday have been asked to agree for it to demolished as part of a regeneration scheme. The council leader said it would help create a "vibrant" town centre.

But Mr Sidgwick said community groups had been hit by the theatre's closure.

"It supported amateur dramatic societies, dance schools, live music, and touring productions," he said.

"That doesn't just disappear without consequence."

In October, planning permission was granted for the neighbouring Forum Shopping Centre to be pulled down as part of the Cannock town centre regeneration project.

Cannock Chase Council secured £20m from the government's levelling-up fund in 2021 towards the scheme. The deadline for spending the money has been extended until March 2028.

Cabinet members have been asked to "agree to the inclusion of the former theatre within the red line for the regeneration programme with the intention to demolish, subject to planning consent".

The trust has asked supporters to take part in a peaceful protest before the 18:00 GMT meeting at the Civic Centre.

In September, the council decided against a community asset transfer which would have enabled the trust to run the venue.

Authority bosses said an independent report highlighted a lack of "operational detail, audience focus and financial realism" in its plans for the venue.

However, trust treasurer Ben Farbrother said it met "every condition" the council said was required.

"We produced a viable revenue plan, secured professional endorsements and demonstrated community support," he said.

"After the closure of the Museum of Cannock Chase, demolishing the theatre will leave Cannock without a single cultural venue. This matters."

Councillors will also be presented with a wider update on the regeneration project and be asked to agree in principle that the authority relocates from its Beecroft Road offices.

Steve Thornley, the council's Labour leader, has said the arts are part of its "vision" for a town centre where people want to live in good, affordable homes, work and enjoy leisure time.

"To get there, difficult decisions have been taken, but the prize of a vibrant town centre fit for the future is what we must concentrate on and drive us all forward," he said.

"We have been very clear that a new framework for future development in our town centre must include provision for performing arts and culture and we are speaking with those who have the ambition and experience to support this."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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