Best season yet for open-air theatre
TOURISM: Scarborough open Air Theatre has seen its most successful season yet, according to senior councillors, with the venue at the vanguard of a visitor boom to Yorkshire’s coastal resorts.
SCARBOROUGH OPEN Air Theatre has seen its most successful season yet, according to senior councillors, with the venue at the vanguard of a visitor boom to Yorkshire’s coastal resorts.
As the busy summer season draws to a close, it has been revealed that more than 74,000 people headed to the theatre this year – 25,000 more than last summer – with sales breaking all records.
Last year the venue was worth an estimated £2.5m to the economy, and this year the figure is predicted to be significantly higher.
Coun Derek Bastiman, leader of Scarborough Borough Council, said: “Scarborough Open Air Theatre is a critical part of our visitor economy, helping to raise the profile of the Yorkshire coast as a great destination for quality live music and ultimately attracting more spending visitors to the area.
“Our successful partnership with Cuffe and Taylor has led to a continued growth in attendances at the theatre in recent years.”
Venue operator Cuffe and Taylor, which started running the theatre last year, extended the number of shows from 11 to 14 this summer, with the line-up including Little Mix, Olly Murs, Kaiser Chiefs, Tom Jones and Jess Glynne.
And earlier this year, Scarborough Council approved an application to increase the number of concerts allowed at the theatre, between May and September, from 12 per year to 20, which will mean even more live music at the venue in 2018.
In December, Californiabased tour promoter Live Nation took over Cuffe and Taylor, and the council has now agreed a 10year deal with the global firm, which is one of the biggest entertainment companies in the world.
In an effort to attract further big-name acts and boost revenue, the promoters are planning to increase the size of the venue to 7,900 from just over 5,000 by installing permanent decking over the lake in front of the stage. Cabinet members have approved the proposal and the full council will make a final decision next Monday.
Coun Bastiman said: “We now look forward to working with global entertainment company Live Nation on next year’s exciting programme and plans to establish permanent decking at the venue.
“Together, we will ensure that the venue continues to build on its success to date, attracts even more big-name acts and brings even more economic benefits to the whole borough.”
The council, which owns the venue, has now started talks with Live Nation about next season’s line-up and a number of announcements are set to be made before Christmas.
Coun Andrew Jenkinson, Cabinet member for tourism, said: “We have had an amazing year and I’m hoping it will be even better next year. I have been fortunate enough to go to a lot of the shows and people have come from all over, with many choosing to holiday in the area as a result.
“It is a fantastic venue, not just for Scarborough, but the whole of the east coast. We are very fortunate.”
The amphitheatre first opened in 1932 but – apart from a handful of performances in the 1980s – productions largely ceased there after 1968 and in 1977 the dressing room and stage, set on an island, were demolished. A ruin for two decades, planning permission for a major restoration of the theatre was granted in 2008 as part of the multi-million-pound Sands development in the town’s North Bay. Work started on the site in 2009 and it was officially opened by the Queen in May 2010.
The Open Air Theatre is a critical part of our visitor economy. Coun Derek Bastiman, leader of Scarborough Borough Council.