Residents react with anger over civic hall closure
UPSET OVER NEWS THAT POPULAR VENUE WILL PERMANENTLY CLOSE
ANGER and upset has erupted following the shock announcement that the Civic Hall in Bedworth will never open again.
The bombshell from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council that the building will not return as an entertainments venue and will not open again has sent shockwaves through the borough.
Needing at least £1m spending on it just to reopen, without the costs to make much-needed upgrades, the council revealed that the Civic Hall will remain closed. It could be bulldozed as part of Transforming Bedworth plans, which include a new civic building incorporating a new entertainment venue and library with a rooftop bar.
The council insists that it cannot afford to keep throwing money at something that is ‘unsustainable’ but the announcement has caused fury among many in the community.
More than 100 readers took to sister paper the Nuneaton News’ Facebook to vent their anger, with just a handful in favour of the plan. Some of the comments: Hayley Smith: “Heartbroken, some of the happiest days of my life spent in this venue. The arts and culture will never be “good money after bad”.
Sue Nicholls: “What a shame. Have been to so many good events here. Obviously the council think the residents of N & B don’t need/like entertainment. It could be a going concern if used correctly.”
Rosemary Tiney: “Seems that this council just wants to bulldoze everything to the ground! Why can’t they improve what we’ve got it costs a fortune to bulldoze and rebuild, there’s no guarantee that a new building will be anymore successful!”
Lucy Clark: “Can’t it be run as a private venue? Seems such a shame to close it altogether.”
Lydia Mcphilimey: “What an awful shame! Lots of lovely memories at the Civic Hall, from seeing the Care Bears as a child to my daughter taking part in dance shows and our family traditional Xmas eve pantomime!!”
Chris Johnstone: “Shameful. We were in there this morning and still see the potential but we haven’t got the imagination in the Council. It was the dated leadership and boring entertainment that held it back.”
Darren Randle: “This place is an
amazing venue, if you ask me it doesn’t have the right people marketing it to the right bands/theatre companys/ sports companies etc. I did numerous school plays here when I was a kid, I’ve seen boxing, comedians, school plays. And I’ve watched my dad perform there. The council really needs to think again!!” But some believe a change is needed.
Andrew Webb: “Good. It shouldn’t be costing taxpayers the amount it did. It was shameful this decision wasn’t made years ago. But the last council kept chucking money at it and allowed a management of the hall to provide inadequate events to keep it afloat.”
Clint Jones: “They are replacing it with a better building.”
Seems that this council just wants to bulldoze everything to the ground! Why can’t they improve what we’ve got... Rosemary Tiney