Campaigners lose bid to save town's theatre

Campaigners say they are determined to continue fighting the decision

Leaders at a council in Staffordshire have formally voted against plans to transfer a town's theatre to a local charity.

Cannock Chase Council's cabinet turned down a proposed community asset transfer of the Prince of Wales Theatre to Cannock Chase Theatre Trust (CCTT) at their meeting on Thursday.

They said the decision was based on an independent report that concluded the proposal was not financially viable.

The trust which had bid to save the 427-seat theatre said its proposals were assessed by a national theatre organisation as being "very impressive", with a "clear and well-laid out vision".

Campaigners gathered outside the meeting in a last-bid attempt to convince bosses of the amount of support behind their plans.

In a post on social media, they said: "After months of hard work, dedication, the submission of detailed proposals, the securing of the underwriting of our operational start-up costs and nearly £35,000 in fundraising showing the incredible public support for our cause, it is hard to accept an outcome that means we may never see the doors of our beloved theatre reopen."

They added: "Our commitment to the theatre, to the community, and to its future remains as strong as ever.

"In the coming days, we will be taking time to reflect and to carefully consider our next steps."

'Difficult decision'

The theatre had been earmarked for closure as part of cost-saving measures to address a £1.3m council budget shortfall.

Deputy council leader David Williams said nobody wanted to see the theatre close.

"The passion and commitment shown by Cannock Chase Theatre Trust was clear, but unfortunately passion alone cannot make a business model viable," he said.

"This was an extremely difficult decision for us to make."

The authority believed the plans did not demonstrate the necessary financial security or operational planning to ensure they were sustainable.

The future of the theatre building will now be considered within wider regeneration plans for Cannock town centre.