'Make your case' for new theatre in Exeter
THE debate about whether or not Exeter should have a new city centre theatre is set to continue.
A meeting to discuss the ins and outs of such a project has been arranged for December 6 at Belmont Chapel in Western Way.
It has been arranged by Exeter Civic Society, but the group is keen to make clear it is neither for nor against a new theatre plan.
Keith Lewis, vice chairman of the society, said: "This meeting follows on from the letters which have appeared recently in the Express & Echo, saying that the city must have a new theatre.
"It was a bit of a theme at the consultation on the bus station, as many thought it would be a great venue for a new theatre, but at the same time there have been others saying we can't afford it.
"As a civic society we have a duty to support development in Exeter, as well as civic functions, and to comment on them.
"We are not saying we are either for or against a new theatre for Exeter, we are not promoting a new theatre, but we thought if we arranged a meeting it would give people who are really interested a chance to express their views, and if they want to set up a working group to really investigate if it was possible.
"There is no point in complaining about the need for a theatre if you are not prepared to come forward and do something about it.
"There is no point in just writing letters.
"If you are going to be a pressure group and make a case to the city council and the arts council, then you have to investigate and be able to demonstrate it is viable."
Representatives of the other theatres in Exeter have been invited to the meeting, as have city councillors.
The city council leader Cllr Pete Edwards is on record as saying he does not believe a new theatre in Exeter could be sustained.
Karime Hassan, one of Exeter's strategic directors, told the Echo: "The city council has consistently maintained a position which says while a theatre would be an appropriate planning use for the redevelopment of the bus and coach station site, the capital and revenue costs of supporting a large theatre of a scale similar to the Theatre Royal in Plymouth would be prohibitive.
"Therefore, I would ask anyone promoting a theatre to address the business case and identify where the funding would come from."
Mr Lewis said: "We have no idea how many people will turn up, but parking is available in the Triangle and it is near a local bus route.
"The meeting will start at 6.30pm but we are asking people to be there by 6.15pm as there will be refreshments before the meeting begins."
For more details about the meeting see www.exetercivicsociety.org.uk
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