'The sooner it's gone the better!' - Controversial plan to demolish beloved Cannock Chase theatre survives latest meeting

On Thursday, January 15, Cannock Chase District Council gathered to discuss the future of the theatre at the Economic Prosperity Scrutiny Committee, one week after the original meeting was cancelled due to the impacts of Storm Goretti.

Opposition to the inclusion of the theatre within the town's regeneration programme's 'red line' for demolition was led by Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Olivia Lyons (Conservative), and Deputy Leader of the Green Group, Darrel Mawle, who each submitted call-ins relating to the cabinet's decision.

In her opening speech, Cllr Lyons described the cabinet's decision as 'premature,' and said the process leading up to it was 'concerningly non-transparent.' 

She was seconded by fellow-Conservative councillor Philippa Haden, who added: "We all deserve clarity on what cabinet can see that we can't."

There were also speeches from Conservative councillors Sam Thompson, who said: "We're speaking for people who have already spoken very loudly with their protests," and Justin Johnson, who added: "It doesn't sit well with me that the decision was made by a certain privileged few."

When asked what cabinet plan to offer the performing arts industry in Cannock Chase in place of the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cllr Thornley was unable to provide a definitive answer, but insisted 'something' would be done. He also confirmed that no theatre groups were engaged with prior to the decision to demolish the theatre, and that the alleged £2.5m refurbishment sum was costed in 2024, and has not been updated since.

Groans were then heard from around the gallery when Cllr Thornley said: "On my walks around Cannock, what I hear is the sooner it's gone the better. That's a fact. When you tell people it's costing £300,000 a year of their taxpayers money they get concerned about it."

 Peter Sidgwick from Cannock Chase Arts Council and Theatre Trust was invited to speak by Cllr Lyons, and he shocked the gallery by revealing that he was refused a one on one meeting with Cllr Thornley some weeks earlier.

"Very recently I arranged a meeting with the leader of the council, which I understood to be a one to one meeting," he said. "When I came to that meeting he had another councillor with him, and I was on my own.

"I said I thought that was not a level playing field, and he insisted that I either met with both of them or neither of them. When I said I was not prepared to do that he literally showed me to the door."

Labour MP for Cannock Chase Josh Newbury was also in attendance, and said: "I am yet to meet someone that supports demolition, but I understand the council are working with financial difficulties. They don't have free rein to do what they want. If they did I'm sure the Prince of Wales Theatre would be saved."

It was also revealed that no economic impact assessments had been conducted prior to the decision, with members of Cannock Chase Theatre Trust arguing that the cost of refurbishing the theatre is 'infinitely cheaper' than demolition given the potential knock-on impacts to local businesses. Andy Moseley from the trust described this lack of foresight as 'staggering.'

While no official plan for the demolition has been brought forward yet the cabinet's intentions are clear, with Cllr Thornley insisting that demolition will be cheaper than the original £2.5m refurbishment. However, he admitted that he had no information on what the cost of demolition would be, casting doubt over the reasons behind the decision.

Both motions were rejected after the casting vote fell to Economic Prosperity Scrutiny Committee Chair Cllr Diane Todd after a 5-4 split. 

The fors (Cllr Lyons, Cllr Haden, Cllr Thompson, Cllr Mawle and Cllr Jones) were left disappointed, while Labour quartet Cllr Fisher, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Bullock and were accused of being 'whipped' in an outburst from Cllr Thompson after the votes were finalised.

It leaves the future of the Prince of Wales Theatre looking even more uncertain, with the town centre regeneration programme surviving yet more opposition.