Community may be given chance to buy theatre

Council considers listing building as ‘asset of community value’

A heritage theatre in Sunninghill could be saved from demolition now the council is to consider offering it for sale to the community.

The Novello theatre, built at the beginning of the 20th century, was one of the original cinemas in the country. It was converted into a small theatre.

This now empty building on the

High Street has been council-owned since 1966 and was last leased in 2003 for 20 years. That lease therefore ended last year.

Unfortunately, the theatre has fallen into disrepair and would require removal of ageing asbestos if it is to continue its life, the council says. This would be costly.

As such, in its draft budget, RBWM proposed setting aside money to potentially demolish the building instead.

But the community rose up, starting a petition to save the theatre and asking for the chance to take it back into community use.

The petition has now reached more than 1,300 signatures.

And last week actor and director Sir Kenneth Branagh joined the call to save the Sunninghill theatre.

Now the RBWM cabinet is set to consider offering the Novello for sale to the community. They would get the first option, if this plan is approved by cabinet next week.

Officers recommend that cabinet approved offering the building to purchase for community use for at least six months, before marketing the site for commercial redevelopment.

This gives campaigners a window to raise funds. The sale price for community use will be £300,000, in line with a recent independent valuation. This price is ‘required to meet the council’s legal requirement to achieve best value from its assets’.

Councillor Adam Bermange, cabinet member for planning, legal and asset management, told the Express: “This approach recognises the strength of feeling locally, that the Novello should be given a new lease of life for the benefit of residents, whilst confronting the reality that the council is not in a financial position to bring the building back into public use and is obliged to meet best value requirements.”

He added that the Novello is not currently listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) – but an application to have it listed has been received.

“Regardless of whether or not it receives formal ACV status, the council is treating the Novello as if it were an ACV by giving the community a six-month window in which to raise funds to buy the building,” said Cllr Bermange.