Independent report recommends Cannock’s Prince of Wales Theatre transfer is not taken forward
A community group’s bid to take on the running of Cannock’s Prince of Wales Theatre has failed to meet required thresholds, according to an independent report.
Cannock Chase Theatre Trust put forward proposals for the future operation of the theatre, which closed in April.
Cannock Chase Council made the controversial decision not to reopen the venue following regeneration work in the town centre as part of measures to close a £1.3m budget gap. The authority offered to fund expert advice to support proposals to transfer the theatre to community ownership, as well as looking at how Government funding can be used to help with upgrades needed to the theatre building.
An independent evaluation of Cannock Chase Theatre Trust’s Community Asset Transfer proposal was carried out by Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy (SLC) on behalf of the council. But the 49-page document, which was made public on Friday (August 8), does not recommend progressing the bid further.
The report, which has been published on the council’s website, concluded: “SLC’s independent evaluation has clearly demonstrated that the proposal by Cannock Chase Theatre Trust does not provide the robust evidence, business case and confidence for the Council to invest further in the Prince of Wales Theatre and progress to Stage Three – Preferred Partner – Asset Transfer Exploration. Their submission fails and is rejected.
“Following detailed assessment from SLC, the final submission from CCTT did not meet the required thresholds in both the financial and quality (method statement) components. Additionally, CCTT (CCTT) contacted elected members of Cannock Chase District Council in writing on 7 July, criticising the evaluation process and seeking to influence the decisions under consideration by the Council during the evaluation process.
“CCTT’s proposal fell considerably short of the minimum threshold set by the council for a credible robust and sustainable Community Asset Transfer (CAT). CCTT scored 21.6% against the minimum threshold of 59% to progress to Stage 3.
“Following the council’s evaluation process, CCTT have failed to achieve minimum thresholds in both evaluated components (financial and quality) and have also contravened the process through lobbying activity, thus invalidating their bid. SLC recommends that the proposal is not taken forward to the next stage of the CAT process.”
On Friday CCTT trustees said: “We met with the council this morning regarding this report. The recommendation from SLC is not a final council decision and we will remain in conversation with them in the coming weeks.”
The trust has raised several thousand pounds as part of its campaign to reopen the theatre – and support has included an anonymous corporate donation of £20,000. But theatre campaigners raised concerns about the time being taken to make a decision on the theatre’s future at the latest full council meeting in July.
The report is due to be discussed by the council’s cabinet at its next meeting on September 4. Council leader Tony Johnson said he was disappointed to hear the trust’s proposals could not be taken further.
He added: “I know how much work and enthusiasm the people behind CCTT put into this and I, like thousands of others, was desperate for them to succeed and give us a viable plan we could support which would see the PoW reopen and thrive. This has been one of the most difficult and challenging issues I have had to face as a councillor and as leader of the council.
“But it would be reckless and irresponsible for us to ignore this thorough independent report by industry leading experts. We are being asked to invest millions of tax payers money in refurbishing the theatre and risk leaving the council exposed to a potentially crippling financial burden if the trust cannot break even.”
