Bedford Civic Theatre closure - the debate
16th April 2010
Plans to close Bedford Civic Theatre to save £1million a year would be “devastating”, according to some members of the Bedford arts community. But Dave Hodgson, the Mayor of Bedford, claims that his hand has been forced by a lack of interest in hiring the venue from promoters. More than 700 people have signed up to protest against the £700,000 proposals on the social networking site Facebook.
The plans unveiled last week would change the venue into a one stop shop for council services. Jon West, who is a member of Bedford Pantomime Company, was instrumental in setting up the ‘Save Bedford Civic Theatre’ group. He said: “The Civic Theatre is a unique venue and is the only traditional theatre left in Bedford. All the others have been knocked down or converted. To lose this great facility which the town has would be devastating.The Bedford Pantomime Company started in the Civic five years ago, it grew in success and was able to achieve enough money to go to the Corn Exchange. We wouldn’t be where we are today without showing to smaller audiences at the Civic.”
Bedford Civic Theatre has also served as a venue for live music acts, and will showcase the talents of internationally renowned guitarist Albert Lee on Saturday.
The plans, which also include the demolition of the Old Town hall office block, are being heralded by the mayor as a “stunning” gift to Bedford Town Centre who claims that the Civic Theatre’s closure makes sound financial sense. He said: “This is good news for tax payers because we will save over £1million a year and good news for residents because they will have a one stop shop for council services right in the town centre, right next to the bus stops and St Paul’s Square.”
And Mr Hodgson challenged protesters by saying that the Civic Theatre has seen a reduction in bookings over the last few years with many groups favouring the nearby Harpur Centre and Corn Exchange venues. He said: “We are not short of theatres and in the last quarter there was only one evening’s theatrical performance and two bookings for musical events. There have been four separate theatrical events in two years. It is not expensive to book but people still aren’t booking it. Closing the Civic Theatre will allow us to invest in the arts that go on at the Corn Exchange and the Harpur Suite.”
The Mayor also announced that Bedford Borough Council has bought the Saracen’s head Pub, in an attempt to improve refreshment facilities at the Corn Exchange, and provide a welcoming start to an evening at the venue.
Source: Bedford Today
