D-day looms for town's theatre.Byline: DAYLE CRUTCHLOW THE BOSS of Nuneaton's only theatre wants councillors to save the asbestos-troubled building from closure when they meet tonight. Abbey Theatre and Arts Centre An art center or arts centre is distinct from an art gallery or art museum. An arts centre is a functional community centre with a specific remit to encourage arts practice and to provide facilities such as theatre space, gallery space, venues for musical performance, in Pool Bank Street has been closed since March after asbestos was found behind walls in the building. Nuneaton and Bedworth Nuneaton and Bedworth (nənē`tən), district (1991 pop. 115,300), Warwickshire, central England. The district primarily comprises the city of Nuneaton and the town of Bedworth. The district's growth was based on coal mining. Borough Council's culture, health and recreation committee meets tonight to discuss three options - two of which would mean closing the theatre for good. One option is to transfer activities with to Bedworth Arts Centre, which is next to Bedworth Civic Hall. Another is for a new arts centre to be created at Manor Park Manor Park may refer to places: in Canada:
Theatre manager Tony Deeming, who is also chairman of Nuneaton Arts Council An arts council is a government or private, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts mainly by funding local artists, awarding prizes, and organizing events at home and abroad. , wants the council to explore the other option - which is spending more than pounds 700,000 over the next decade to keep Abbey Theatre and Arts Centre going. It would cost pounds 75,000 to rid the building of asbestos, and a further pounds 631,000 over the next 10 years to refurbish and maintain the building, which has had its seats and lighting ripped out because of the asbestos. Mr Deeming said: "We believe that Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council is fully responsible for the costs incurred by the asbestos contamination due to their failure as landlords to act according to health and safety guidelines. "All we expect them to do is to understand and recognise this and do the right thing and cover the losses to allow the Arts Council to get on with the job of providing an increasingly popular venue for the community of the town and surrounding areas." A final decision is expected at a cabinet meeting on August 27. dayle.crutchlow@mrn.co.uk |
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