Hundreds sign petition for under threat theatre Bistro

OUTRAGED bistro-users have launched a campaign to stop their cherished ‘community’ venue in Bedworth from being downgraded.

They want to put a stop to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s (NBBC) plans to make changes to the bistro at the Civic Hall – turning it into a café.

An online petition has been set up and more than 200 people have already added their weight to the campaign.

Many said the facility was a lifeline for elderly residents.

It reads: “It is a thriving community hub which makes money for NBBC.

“It caters for its community and for the elderly locally with excel- lent friendly and caring staff.

“It is usually so busy on a Friday afternoon that the only way to get a table is to pre-book, and yet the NBBC are stating that it does not make ‘enough’ money to survive.

“Please help us keep this wonderful Bistro open at our local theatre, please keep it open when so many others have been needlessly closed.

“Please sign this petition to let NBBC know that we care and are outraged that these type of decisions are being made.”

One signee posted: “My mother and her elderly friends have regularly used the venue as a meeting place for coffee or lunch and will miss it.”

Another said: “I no longer live in Bedworth but remember visiting this bistro as a child. “Would be a shame to see it go.” Another post read: “It would be a huge loss to the community, especially the elderly who need more places to meet (that are warm, inexpensive and excellent access), not less.”

It was back in November when it was revealed, as part of costcutting plans to find £1.2m savings, the council wanted to downgrade the bistro to a coffee shop with limited food offerings.

At the time, Councillor Dennis Harvey admitted it was the first time in the four decades since the local authority was formed that they have had to make such drastic cuts.

“This cabinet is putting things forward that we do not want to do,” Cllr Harvey said.

“Please, let’s start living in the real world, we are short of money, every council is short of money as far as I know, apart from the very few favoured ones in the leafy suburbs and they are favoured at our expense.”

It is widely known that the council does not accept online petitions but organisers hope that it shows the strength of feeling for the bistro.

To sign the petition, log on to https ://www.change.org/p/ nuneaton-and-bedworth-borough-council-keep-the-legendsbar-bistro-open-at-bedworthcivic-hall