Closed Staffordshire theatre to be discussed by council next month

Cannock’s Prince of Wales Theatre is due be discussed by senior councillors at a cabinet meeting next month.

Get the best local stories, straight to your inbox - subscribe to the E&S newsletter

Cross-party talks are also set to take place on the cultural venue, councillors and residents heard at a meeting on Wednesday (July 8).

The Prince of Wales Theatre closed in April 2025 as part of regeneration work in the town centre. Cannock Chase Council made the controversial decision not to reopen the venue as part of measures to close a £1.3m budget gap.

Cannock Chase Council’s Conservative Group called for talks on the cultural venue to be reopened And last month the council’s new Reform UK leader Paul Jones said the new administration was fully looking over the facts and figures.

In a public question to Wednesday’s full council meeting, Gaynor White said: “The former leader of the council, Steve Thornley, stated publicly that making the Prince of Wales Theatre structurally sound would cost £9.5m.

“Can the council confirm whether it holds any document (survey, assessment, report, or otherwise) that supports this figure, and if so, on what date it was produced and by whom?

“Will you commit to a date when you will release this information to residents?”

Councillor Mandy Bell, Resources and Corporate Services Portfolio Leader, responded that the report produced by a contractor was dated June 5. She said: “The council commissioned a number of surveys into the structure of the Prince of Wales Theatre and what is required for safe operation, new access arrangements and refurbishment of the theatre.

“The total cost was a little over £9.5m – this figure may change if the designs are amended. However this cost does include £2.9m for replacement mechanical and electrical and £1.3m in fees and contingencies.

“This council will be ensuring value for money is delivered to the residents of Cannock Chase and all figures will be scrutinised. I can confirm this report has been shared with all group leaders prior to cross-party discussion scheduled to take place.

“The information is going to be discussed at a meeting of all the leaders on Friday. After the August cabinet meeting all information will be available that we can release.”