Don’t let debate become political

A petition signed by some 3,000 people was debated at the December meeting of Ashford council. A theatre has been on council agenda for some time. Rolling into one what is really two separate considerations, complicates and politicises the matter. First and foremost, the needs of local amateur dramatic groups should be established and a study conducted into what will be a viable theatre for Ashford. The organisation and management structure to run it as a going commercial concern also needs to be clearly understood up front. A theatre in Ashford needs the support of the Arts Council, since they will look at what effect it might have on existing Kent theatres. Ashford School plans to convert the Flour Mill, which is 400 yards from the town centre, into a 250 seat theatre; Homewood School at Tenterden has the Sinden Theatre; and there is Revelation St Mary’s in the town. And so, another theatre in Ashford borough cannot undermine these. As to the Odeon building itself, given its age it may be impossible to adapt into a first class modern day theatre to attract big theatrical companies and to press ahead blindly would put capital investment at risk. As to it being an iconic building, for some that is questionable. Whatever the case, the Odeon building must fit the specification for the Ashford theatre and not the other way around. The last thing Ashford wants is a white elephant, because residents will pick up the tab through their Council Tax and not everyone is supportive of the theatre idea. The present knee jerk approach is in danger of putting the cart before the horse. Separate the two considerations and approach each as projects with their own right. Cllr Winston Michael (Ashford Ind), Dexter Close, Kennington

The former Odeon cinema in Ashford High Street that later become Mecca Bingo