Equity is encouraging members to sign a petition to save the much-loved Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock (Staffordshire), which is under threat of closure.
This decision, made by Cannock Chase District Council on 24th October, is subject to public consultation but poses a significant risk of depriving the local community of a vital arts resource, and the loss of work to a wide variety of Equity members.
The theatre’s closure would lead immediately to approximately thirty job losses. More broadly, for Cannock, the Prince of Wales theatre provides a central hub for the professional, amateur and children’s performing arts. It is a key part of the town’s nightlife, and its closure poses a grave risk to tourism and the health of the wider nighttime economy.
It is a picture we see across so many other small towns across the UK, with the threatened closure of vital arts spaces.
The Council has argued that the potential closure of the theatre (and the museum of Cannock Chase) is due to a £1.3m shortfall in its budget.
In supporting the campaign to save the theatre, Ian Manborde, Equity’s Midlands official said “The Midlands region faces yet another attack on its vital arts infrastructure following the loss of funding in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Nottingham.
“Too often theatres and the performing arts are seen as the first and easy option to cut by cash strapped local authorities, and we must fight back.
“The Council has not yet fully explored all options to save the Prince of Wales theatre, and we encourage all of those affected by the potential closure to support the campaign by signing the petition and completing the consultation survey”.
Members are encouraged to sign the petition to save the Prince of Eales Theatre here and complete the consultation survey here.
If you would like to be involved in the campaign to save the Prince of Wales Theatre, please email Ian Manborde: imanborde@equity.org.uk.
