Leamington's Spa Centre could close

LEAMINGTON’S loss-making Spa Centre will close its doors for good unless residents start visiting it, a district councillor has warned.

The 37-year-old venue in Newbold Terrace had to be subsidised £557,508 by Warwick District Council last year.

It can lose up to £2,000 every time it hosts a show.

And now the district council, which owns the building, is considering shutting the centre to help it make planned savings of £1.6million by 2013.

Councillor Susan Gallagher, the district councillor responsible for culture, said: “The decision is nowhere near definite but it is an option that’s been looked at.

“Everybody is trying to save money – life is tough; it’s no different for councils.

“A group of councillors looked at the costs and expenses of a lot of things and how taxpayer’s money is being used.

“It’s true the theatre is making a loss but most community theatres do.

“I personally will be fighting like crazy to keep it open. Leamington needs a theatre. But people must go and use the venue.

“To the people complaining that it might shut, I would ask them, ‘When is the last time you went?’ I want people to go to the theatre and see the tremendous work it does.”

The Spa Centre opened in 1972 and includes an 800-seat theatre and a 200-seat cinema.

It hosts productions by local amateur dramatics companies including Leamington and Warwick Musical Society, the Spa Theatre Company and Spa Opera Group.

The National Blood Service also holds drop-in donation sessions.

Cllr Gallagher added: “We have a great programme of events coming up; for example the Ice Show is stunning. But we need people to go.

“Cultural things may be something people don’t have to go to, but it is very nice to go out and it’s not too expensive. I will do all I can to save the Spa Centre. I’m a local person, I use the centre and a great variety of shows go on there featuring highly talented people.

“The people working at the centre do a great job, they don’t want to see it closed.

“We desperately need the Spa Centre in Leamington. If we lose it, we’ll never get it back.”

But the group of councillors identified a number of problems with the centre, including the design of the building and an overall lack of a defined role the venue should play.

A list of possible options for the centre’s future has been drawn up, including closing the centre and
redeveloping the area into a hotel and conference centre, transferring the centre to a trust or closing the centre, selling the land and rebuilding on another site.

The committee also emphasised the need to consult widely with the public before any decisions are made.

A spokesperson for Warwick District Council said: “A report has been presented to the Executive outlining different options. Closing the centre isn’t the only option, although if the centre doesn’t bring in money it will have to be considered.

“A group of councillors put the report together and at the minute, we’re just asking for councillors to comment on them.

“No decision has been made and won’t be for a while.”