Proposals to demolish Prince of Wales Theatre

We have expressed concerns at proposals to demolish the Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock Chase and have urged Cannock Chase Council to work with us to explore alternative options.

Prince of Wales Theatre was added to our Theatres at Risk Register in January 2025 in light of plans to permanently close the popular theatre, the only venue in the local area. Last week it was announced that Cannock Chase Council was proposing to demolish the theatre.

Theatres Trust firmly believes that there is a future for the theatre and that the council has not undertaken the necessary work to robustly assess the financial, social and economic impact of the loss of the venue or the costs associated with demolition.

Equally, we do not believe that Cannock Chase Council has given due consideration to how the theatre, which appears to be structurally sound, could be reopened such as the failure to undertake necessary options appraisals for the building or to run a national tendering process for the future operation of the theatre. Theatres Trust also casts doubt on the validity of using Levelling Up Funds, once earmarked for developing the theatre, for its demolition.

Theatres Trust CEO Joshua McTaggart says, “We appreciate that local authority budgets are being squeezed, but this proposal has come forward with a concerning disregard for benefits the theatre brings to the town, and no meaningful vision for the future. The Prince of Wales is a beloved venue as shown by the overwhelming public support for it. With investment from the Levelling Up Fund, it could be transformed into a modern venue that Cannock can be proud of. Instead, the legacy of Levelling Up in Cannock may be the levelled ground where a theatre once stood. The people of Cannock Chase deserve so much better than this.”