Work
on the restoration and refurbishment of Paignton's Palace Theatre will now cost
less than half the £2.6 million originally planned.
The sized-down programme of £936,800, being recommended to Torbay Council
executive tonight, is the compromise worked
out after the Heritage Lottery Fund said only certain elements of the larger
scheme met their criteria. Breakdown of the reasons showed they could not pay
for any elements relating to the theatre's operation - which made up the bulk
of the £2.6 million scheme.
After meetings between Lottery Fund, English Heritage and the council's
heritage working party, a fresh
set of proposals has been tabled to meet the theatre's long term goals.
English Heritage had pledged its £80,000 contribution for building repairs and
improvements would still be available, but it must be committed by April 2006.
A smaller scheme based on priorities identified by the Friends of Palace
Theatre, has been adopted requiring the building be kept in good condition and
remain open at reasonable cost.
The total costs of this project fitted the available £936,800 funding so long
as the work was spread over two
financial years between February 2006 and March 2007.
Design details included the conversion of the street level public toilets into
a new booking hall with a platform lift to the auditorium.
Internal and external building repairs, including the redecoration of the
auditorium and roof replacement, would cost £280,400 and fixed tier seating
£129,600 for the reduced 370 capacity, with greater comfort and good viewing
from all parts.
The executive will be told the reduced scale project can be funded without
grant from the Lottery Fund and within current budgets in the capital plan.
Around £200,000 would be available from the former Festival Theatre fund;
£550,000 from the capital budget plan; £80,000 conditional grant from English
Heritage; £31,800 revenue savings during the Palace Theatre work
closure period; and a large injection of £75,000 by the Friends of Palace
Theatre, money they can access from charitable trusts.
Marion Smith, secretary of the Friends, said she is delighted with the
proposals.
She said: "Although we lose about 30 seats from the present auditorium, we
get a theatre with much more space, accessibility for everyone including the
disabled - a building that will have facilities for the next 20 years".
Ms Smith said the discussions had been long and hard, but the end product would
be a credit to Paignton.
Councillor Chris Lomas, Executive Member for Community, said: "The Palace
Theatre has been at the heart of the Paignton community since the 1890s and has
a long and proud tradition of fostering the young talent of Torbay and in
maintaining and enhancing the cultural life of Torbay.
"This is a very exciting time for this old area of Paignton which has been
revitalised over the last few years by the Torbay Council-led Heritage Economic
Regeneration Scheme and the refurbishment of the Palace Theatre will be the
icing on the cake.
"Many of the original features are now in need of updating and the theatre
does not provide disabled access in line with regulations. As part of our
commitment to meeting the needs of the whole community, I will be recommending
that we approve the proposal and get the scheme under way."
Richard Bearne, Chairman of the Friends of the Palace Theatre, added: "The
Friends of the Palace Theatre has a membership of 1,000 who are fully committed
to seeing this wonderful old theatre rejuvenated and revitalised. We are
actively engaged in raising £75,000 towards this exciting project and we
wholeheartedly support Torbay Council's proposals."
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