Futurist group shows off plans to save theatre
Save Our Futurist group makes plea to council
Plans have been outlined that would allow the Futurist theatre to be saved from demolition.
The Save the Futurist Campaign Group says that it is viable financially to keep the venue as a theatre and have published their plans to retain the venue.
However, Scarborough Council insists it will press ahead to replace the boardedup building with a £20 million attraction from Flamingo Land.
A vote is due to be taken on January 9 that will determine the Futurist’s fate.
The group is hoping to ride a wave of public pressure to convince enough councillors to block the decision. They would need more than half of the authority’s 50 members to vote against it to succeed.
The group’s report states: “Simple logistical problems are the main barrier to Scarborough’s Futurist attracting world-class product with a broad commercial appeal; and all are easily remedied within the current footprint of the building.
“We would advocate the removal of the Front of House areas, box office, foyer and entrance from their current location directly beneath the stage, relocating them all to the commercial units at the southern end of the building, directly beneath the auditorium.
“By relocating and reorganising the associated stairwells, bars and other front-of-house infrastructure, much-needed space is created either side of the stage to expand the wing space and add dock doors for scenic and technical access di- A councillor has backed plans to save the Futurist. Norman Murphy (UKIP) said there was no financial reason to demolish the building.
In an open letter he wrote: “The public love live performance, and performers love performing. There is therefore every reason to be confident that the long-term future of venues like the Futurist, should it be saved, is pretty much guaranteed.” He added: “The theatre once restored would be managed independently like the Spa and Open Air Theatre is now; free of council incompetency.” He is hoping other councillors follow his lead to save the building. rectly onto the stage area.
“Also, this crucially frees space beneath the stage (substage) for automation equipment and traps etc; a critical requirement for many modern productions.”
Every councillor will receive a version of the group’s plan.
It adds: “We appeal to our councillors’ good sense in allowing us to once and for all prove that Scarborough’s Futurist, fully modernised and beautifully restored is an economic and cultural asset worth saving.”
However, the council’s leader backed Flamingo Land’s plan.
Cllr Derek Bastiman: “The council has already allocated £4 million towards the redevelopment of the Futurist site in its 2016/17 budget.
“The Futurist will be replaced by a world class £20 million exciting visitor attraction involving Flamingo Land Limited, one of the UK’s most innovative leisure operators.
“Their principal theme park attraction already attracts more visitors to Yorkshire than any other attraction and in 2015 was the seventh most visited attraction in the country.
“A report on the cost and methodology of clearing the Futurist site to pave the way for the redevelopment will be going to Full Council in January.”