Barry Theatre Royal site may become a care facility
30th July 2010
The dreams of the Save Our Cinema Association (SOCA) have been shattered by the news that Hafod Care plans to develop the Theatre Royal site into 42 flats and communal facilities for older people. Just weeks ago, SOCA was planning to hold a public meeting to appeal to the Barry public to help in a £400,000 – £600,000 appeal to buy the site and restore the cinemas.
But Hafod Care announced its intention to build the Vale’s first ExtraCare facility at the Theatre Royal location. A spokeswoman said: “Hafod Care has confirmed that it is progressing the development of the Theatre Royal, which closed in 2007, working in partnership with the Vale Council and the Welsh Assembly Government to deliver the project. “The development will provide much-needed independent living accommodation in the form of 42 purpose-built one and two-bedroom flats, along with communal facilities for older people. The project would be majority funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Vale Council and managed by Hafod Care Association Ltd.”
As part of the plans, the care provider said it would re-instate derelict shops on the existing site with facilities such as hairdressers, a laundrette and café. Robert Wathen, managing director at Hafod Care, said: “We are very excited about this project as it would be the first ExtraCare development ever to be built in the Vale. If the plans go ahead, we would not only be developing a disused site in an area of Barry that is already undergoing a lot of regeneration work, but also helping the Vale Council meet the needs of the people throughout the county. Providing accommodation for elderly people would free up family housing that will be used by others in an area of high demand and need.” He added: “We are very conscious that the Theatre Royal was a much-loved building in Barry, which holds many memories for the town’s residents. We welcome the opportunity to breathe new life into such a historic building and are keen to retain as much of its heritage as possible.”
But for members of SOCA, the announcement came as a bitter blow. Its chairman, Bob Armstrong, explained: “We are very disappointed because we have been campaigning in excess of two years to keep the Theatre Royal for the people of the town. I don’t think the authorities have taken notice of how people feel – 10,000 people signed our petition to preserve it.
“We are losing facilities in Barry – the cinemas, the lido, the Driving Test Centre and possibly the magistrates’ court – these are part of the local social network. The Theatre Royal is not the ideal place for flats. The Waterfront, with its space and views is more suitable. I’m sure the plans will go through because the Welsh Assembly is helping to fund it.”
Paul Sutton, a SOCA member, said: “The Save our Cinema Association has had a number of meetings over the last 12 months as to the future of the Theatre Royal – if the Vale Council knew what was happening to the site why didn’t they let us know? The Barry population has said loud and clear to us that they want big screen entertainment in the town. The Vale Council will now have to insist that the Waterfront development has a cinema.”
Dr Ian Johnson of Plaid, commented: “While welcoming the financial investment in Barry, I am deeply disappointed by these plans to demolish the Theatre Royal, one of the treasures of the Vale and turn the area into housing – and the appalling timing on the part of Hafod Housing to make this announcement on the 100th anniversary of the building’s opening.”
A Vale Council spokeswoman said: “Hafod have only just confirmed that they intend to buy the site and their negotiations with the owners of the Theatre Royal were confidential. We certainly intend to encourage the private sector to provide a cinema and other leisure facilities on the Waterfront land, but it needs to be remembered this land is not owned by the council.”
Source: Barry Today
