Beck Theatre operator walks away from talks after row with Hillingdon Council as future hangs in balance
The company that runs Beck Theatre has decided to walk away from talks with Hillingdon Council following a public dispute over attempts to save it from closure, though the council has said it has no intention to shut it. Trafalgar Theatres has been at the helm for 15 years, however it seems both sides were unable to reach an agreement on key issues around how it will be run in future, after the council decided to pull the plug on the existing arrangement, whereby it subsidises the theatre in Hayes and owns the building but it's run by Trafalgar.
In an attempt to reassure residents, Council Leader Ian Edwards said in a statement there are no plans to close the Beck Theatre, and the council recognises the valuable contributions theatres make to communities. He added: "Trafalgar Theatres has now informed us of their final decision to cease operations at the Beck, however the council is working hard to secure a new operating partner as soon as possible to minimise disruption and ensure a smooth transition."
The comments come after a week of back and forth between the council and the theatre operator, with both sides blaming each other for what seemed to be its imminent closure. It was alleged the disagreements began over financial subsidies being withdrawn by the council.
READ MORE: Protest planned at Uxbridge Tube station over threatened closure of West London theatre
However, Trafalgar Theatres said it had accepted the terms of a new agreement whereby it takes on more of the operating costs on a trial basis, and the company had disagreed with the length of time the council had suggested. They said they had given Hillingdon Council a deadline to agree an amended arrangement which, if not met, would trigger them preparing to close the site down.
Beck Theatre Director Steve Sargeant told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "The Beck team are hopeful that [the council] will step up and commit to operating the venue themselves...staff are committed to continuing to serve our communities as we have done for nearly 50 years.
"Whilst it is not possible for Trafalgar to continue, we do not want to see the building close. In our discussions with the council yesterday they indicated that they are considering alternative operating arrangements or direct council management of the venue.
"We have committed to doing everything we can to help and support them in achieving that so that our team, audiences, users of the building and community groups have the certainty they deserve regarding future cultural provision in Hillingdon."
A demonstration has been planned to take place outside Uxbridge Tube station this weekend to protest the threat of closure currently facing the Beck Theatre in. Protesters are expected to gather from 11am on Sunday (September 29) outside the station in Uxbridge High Street.
Councillor Sital Punja, Shadow Lead of Health and Social Care has been part of the campaign 'Back the Beck'. The councillor told the LDRS she is 'truly disgusted' at the way the council has handled negotiations with Trafalgar.
She said: "The Beck Theatre is a vital community asset...Trafalgar has developed essential community outreach programmes that have delivered opportunities to marginalised groups and our youth.
"[Trafalgar] offered a realistic opportunity to run the theatre without subsidies from the council. I am really concerned that if Trafalgar are no longer the operators of this theatre, that no other operator will take this on and ultimately there will be no choice left but for the council to close The Beck."
Trafalgar Theatres has been contacted for comment
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