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Worthing Theatres - The next step

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Worthing Theatres 

Latest News

25th November 2011

Worthing Theatres' future secured and to be run in-house!

After months of agonising wait for staff and theatre goers Worthing council has decided that its three theatres will continue to be run in-house as none of the other bidder’s proposals were offering the savings required.

The theatre’s management team have been asked to prepare a business plan that delivers substantial savings and stops the current high subsidies levels necessary to keep the venues open.

The business plan will look into offering a substantially improved and more attractive theatre experience. This will include things like, upgrading the buildings particularly the Connaught and Pavilion Theatres using council funds and, for example, by introducing a small ticket levy; creating a more modern dining experience; offering more options to the customer, such as buying tickets and booking meals etc. on-line and possibly installing 3D in the Connaught. It is anticipated that a substantial increase in income from running the theatres could be achieved which would be put towards any improvements.

“A great deal of work has been undertaken to ensure sufficient resources are available to continue current operations until 2013”

says Paul Yallop, Leader of Worthing Council,

“Over the next few months we will be taking a hard look at the programming of the venues. The review has shown the Assembly Hall to be a great community asset which needs to be utilised in a more efficient way. It has always been our intention to maintain good theatre provision in Worthing but we can’t ignore the fact that the level of public subsidy necessary to do this is unaffordable in the medium to long term. I really look forward to working with the theatre staff over the next year or so to help bring their business plan to fruition. I also hope to involve local groups who have shown great commitment to saving the theatres. I am sure the public will show their support by enjoying the excellent upcoming shows including the Christmas Pantomimes.”

Councillor Mary Lermitte, member of the Theatres Working Group set up in March this year, added: “In May we asked for expressions of interest to run all or part of Worthing’s theatres. 17 bids were received resulting in the detailed consideration of three serious proposals. And although the Group was impressed with the level of interest and standard of the three proposals it decided, after very careful analysis and deliberation, that none of them would both innovate the service and reduce the net cost to the council tax payer over the next few years. I would like to take this opportunity though to thank those shortlisted for their interest.”

The Theatres Working Group will remain in place to ensure the targets set out in the business plan are met.

The full report concerning the future of the Worthing Theatres operation/management will be considered by the Joint Strategic Committee which meets at 6.30pm at the Adur Civic Centre, Ham Road, Shoreham on the 29th November. The report can be found on www.worthing.gov.uk (25th Nov - will online very soon, link to be provided as soon as possible)

November 2011

Statement… Worthing Theatres latest!

Over the last few months councillors and officers have been working on the review of the provision of theatres in Worthing. This followed a cabinet decision to set-up a working group to explore all options to reduce significantly its financial support to the theatre venues.

In May of this year the council sought expressions of interest from suitably qualified and/or experienced companies or third sector partners who wished to be considered to manage or acquire any or all of the venues. These potential partners were required to submit proposals that would sustainably reduce the cost to the public purse of these venues.

In June 2011, Worthing council received 17 expressions of interest from a range of organisations and all of these were invited to submit outline proposals for consideration in August. A number of organisations withdrew at this stage and the remainder were invited to submit detailed costed proposals by the end of September.

The working group has been evaluating these detailed proposals and has recently received a presentation from a shortlist of three organisations. We have been looking at these proposals in more detail to consider how they would propose to run some or all of the venues in the future and what financial effect this will have for the council.

We are now at a crucial point in the process which will be coming to a conclusion very soon when a further announcement will be made.

June 2011

Latest statement for Worthing Theatres

Paul Yallop, Leader of Worthing Council, says:

“Following the councils advertisement we have received 13 firm expressions of interest ranging from commercial theatre companies through to locally led groups.

The theatres working group will be painstakingly sifting through all the expressions to produce a shortlist over the coming weeks. With such a high level of interest I am hoping for an outcome which will both keep the venues open and reduce the £3,000 daily subsidy required from our council taxpayers.
 
The process will likely take until the autumn to complete so I would urge our residents and visitors to support the theatres and their staff by attending the excellent programme of productions. The theatres can only survive if they are well supported by the public.”

May 2011

'Expressions of interest' are being sought from organisations or groups to operate or acquire any or all of the four Worthing Theatres venues - Connaught Theatre, Ritz Cinema, Pavilion Theatre and Assembly Hall.

An advert has been placed in 'The Stage' magazine published on 27 May asking for responses by Friday 10th June.

Once expressions have been received the next step will be for the council to ask those interested parties to submit a detailed proposal and business case for consideration by the Theatres Working Group.

The Theatres Working Group was set up to steer the future of the theatres in Worthing following a detailed theatre review report considered by cabinet on 21 March 2011.

Paul Yallop, Leader of Worthing Council, stated:

"Councils across the land are in difficult financial positions and Worthing is no exception -we have to look for savings. Our theatres cost the council and ultimately our residents over £1.4m in revenue support and this has to be reduced – hence the review.  We are hopeful to bring a positive outcome to the table for further discussion."

Theatres Manager Peter Bailey, adds:

"In the meantime it’s 'business as usual' at all our venues. We have just published our summer brochure and continue to offer a rich, diverse and unrivalled range of entertainment. Why not come along and see for yourself?"

Summer highlights include comedy from Joe Pasquale, Omid Djalili, and Al Murray plus the vocal talents of Aled Jones and music from the renowned Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain plus plays including The Jungle Book, Equus and The Woman in White. And great film blockbusters in 3D – Harry Potter and The Smurfs.

Visit www.worthingtheatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01903 206206.

Reports and Decision Made Records

Find out more and register your Expression of Interest

Please see out procurement pages : Worthing Theatres - Expressions of Interest (April 2012 : Link now removed)

From here you can find out contact details for more information  and how to register an interest as well as other useful documents and downloads.

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