TDC Councillor and Green Party Election
Candidate for South Thanet , Ian Driver, has expressed his “utter astonishment”
about plans to dispose of the Theatre Royal in Margate and the
Broadstairs Pavilion. Said Driver “the
Theatre Royal and the Broadstairs Pavilion are iconic buildings loved by locals
and visitors alike. I simply can’t believe
that the Labour-led Council wants to
sell them off”. This decision, will be a massive worry to the
hundreds of people campaigning to save the Pierremont Hall in Broadstairs which
was recently mothballed by the Council and might now face a similar fate to the
Theatre Royal and the Broadstairs Pavilion. The decision also follows the disposal of the historic
Ramsgate Pavilion to mega pub chain company Weatherspoons on a lease of over
100 years. “The Labour
controlled Council is crudely asset
stripping Thanet’s publically owned historic buildings in a cynical effort to win
votes by keeping the Council Tax down in an election year” said Driver. “I accept that these buildings are expensive to
maintain, but the Council has the option of setting up charitable trusts and
seeking heritage lottery and other funding sources to repair and maintain
these historic buildings, but they have refused to explore these options
preferring instead to privatise the cultural history of Thanet. I will be opposing
these proposals and fighting against the selling off of Thanet’s family silver”.
Speaking about the Theatre Royal, Driver said "the Council claim that they are simply seeking a new operator on a long lease to maintain and run this beautiful Georgian building. The truth is that in these austere times and with massive cuts in grants to the arts its extremely unlikely that an outside operator will come forward. Just look at the difficulties the Council had in securing an operator for the Dreamland Amusement Park, which is a much more lucrative proposition than the Theatre Royal. My belief is that no operator will come forward and the Council will sell off this fabulous building. Maybe to Weatherspoons for pub?
Thanet Green Party is opposed to selling off our historic heritage. Instead we would consult with the community and work with local groups and charities to find new imaginative ways to preserve our rich history. There are many examples across the country of iconic buildings being preserved and profitably managed by community action, rather than asset stripped and sold for political advantage.
Speaking about the Theatre Royal, Driver said "the Council claim that they are simply seeking a new operator on a long lease to maintain and run this beautiful Georgian building. The truth is that in these austere times and with massive cuts in grants to the arts its extremely unlikely that an outside operator will come forward. Just look at the difficulties the Council had in securing an operator for the Dreamland Amusement Park, which is a much more lucrative proposition than the Theatre Royal. My belief is that no operator will come forward and the Council will sell off this fabulous building. Maybe to Weatherspoons for pub?
Thanet Green Party is opposed to selling off our historic heritage. Instead we would consult with the community and work with local groups and charities to find new imaginative ways to preserve our rich history. There are many examples across the country of iconic buildings being preserved and profitably managed by community action, rather than asset stripped and sold for political advantage.
For more information
contact Ian Driver on 07866588766
The reports authorising the disposals can be found here http://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3698
Well said - let's hope the election reverses these decisions. Which councillors voted for them?
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