£300,000 to fund ‘urgent repairs’ at town theatre
FUNDING has been found to cover “urgent repairs” at the Forum Theatre in Romiley.
The building has been closed since September due to RAAC, which has led to the cancellation of a number of performances and cost NK Theatre Arts the company operating the building - more than £50,000 in losses.
A total of £300,000 will be spent by Stockport council to deal with the dangerous concrete and help the building to reopen “as soon as possible.”
RAAC was first found in the building in 2017 during a refurbishment, and this was managed by the council in line with industry standards.
The Forum Theatre was forced to close after government guidance on RAAC was updated in August, leading to the temporary closure of buildings including schools and hospitals around the country.
Campaigners from Free the Forum - a group working to get the theatre reopened - have pressed the council for a response to the issue which they say has hit local businesses and residents hard over the past few months.
Cassie Briffa, founder of the campaign, said: “We have campaigned tirelessly since the closure for the council to step up and make the theatre the priority it promised that it was.
“Our campaign has pushed for urgent repairs to ensure the safety and integrity of the Forum Theatre and we are delighted to see progress finally being made.
“The Government has stated since September last year that requests for help in non-educational settings would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
“However, as Stockport Council has yet to cost up permanent repairs and submit a request to the Government on that basis, we are still waiting for the long-term financial assistance we need.”
Councillor Lisa Smart said: “This funding decision is great news.
“I identified a way that the repairs could be funded, and the council took on my request and delivered.
“As an administration, the Liberal Democrats are absolutely focused on delivering the practical solutions that our community needs.
“It is still vital that the government steps up and delivers on a long-term, permanent solution for Romiley Forum and other theatres like this.
“The work that NK Theatre Arts does with kids and adults of all abilities is fantastic, and the whole facility is a real hub for the area.
“The impact the closure of the Forum Theatre has had on the local community cannot be understated - which is why this initial funding is so important, and why a long-term solution is so necessary.”
Councillor Frankie Singleton, Stockport council’s cabinet member for communities, culture and sport, said: “The government have to work with local councils to find a sustainable solution to fund repairs, and any costs incurred whilst repairs continue, similar to the approach that has been taken with schools and colleges.
“We believe that this issue has become urgent in local communities across the country.
“Therefore, we urge the government to provide funding for repairs in local cultural venues in line with the approach taken for other buildings.”
Paul Athans, the Conservative candidate for Hazel Grove, said: “It’s great news that we may have a potential solution to re-open the Forum Theatre. Getting the theatre back up and running is the most important thing for our community. But, to claim this as a Lib Dem victory is a slap in the face for all those local people who have been campaigning for a solution for over four months!
“It’s taken the combined pressure of local campaigners, the press, and myself, to force the Lib Dems to take action, which is frankly unacceptable.
“If they can find £300K now, why couldn’t they do it in 2023?
“I want to thank the Free the Forum campaign for all their work.
“This victory is local people triumphing over the career politicians who sit on their hands rather than take action.”