'All is not lost': Council speaks of hopeful future for axed Staffordshire museum and theatre

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Both venues were earmarked for closure as part of the council's budget proposal for 2025/26 in November last year, with a full council meeting in February being the last nail in the coffin for both locations. 

The closures form part of the council's attempts to rectify a £1.3 million budget gap for the 2025/26 period.

Now, Cannock Chase Council has said that 'all hope may not be lost' as they hope to work with local groups who have shown interest in operating the venues.

Councillor Johnson said: "With both venues, we are extremely saddened that they closing.

"They are both assets that we are very proud of - and while they are closing - we are very hopeful for their future."

Councillor Johnson said that negotiations are ongoing with 'interested parties' for both locations, saying that at least two groups are involved in saving the Prince of Wales from permanent closure and also that a 'consortium' has shown interest in the museum.

He said: "The theatre is due to close anyway due to the redevelopment plans. However, negotiations are ongoing where community interest groups are looking to take over both locations.

"In 12 to 18 months, we are hoping that we can reach an agreement. We are hopeful for the future."

The Cannock Chase Theatre Trust is one of the groups that is vying for ownership of the Prince of Wales, with Andrew Moseley, from the trust, saying that they 'hope' that the theatre will reopen in the future.

He said: "As a trust we are going through a negotiation process with the council at the moment, but there are still bits of scrutiny and whatnot that we need to go through and discussions of work that needs doing.

"We know that the theatre will close. The final production before they close the doors will be on the 29th of April, which will be an emotional night for staff and the groups that are there. But we are hopeful."

At least one other group is also vying for ownership of the theatre, with Mr Moseley saying that the negotiations 'can only mean good things'.

He said: "We know that there is at least one other group that is also negotiating, so the fact that there is at least one other party involved can only mean good things.

"We are confident that something will be put forward in a way of a solution."

The Museum of Cannock Chase celebrated its last event on Wednesday, where they will close their doors for the last time on Friday, April 25, with the final event for the Prince of Wales taking place on Saturday, April, 28, before their closure on Tuesday, April 29.