The Beck Theatre will close on Monday, January 13, Hillingdon Council have announced, despite repeated statements that they do not want to see the theatre close. This comes after a public spat between the council and the previous operators which has now ultimately culminated in its closure.
In a statement released today (Thursday, October 31) Hillingdon Council said: “”he council had been seeking to negotiate a new lease with Trafalgar Theatres for them to continue its management of the facility at a peppercorn rent with the council being responsible for essential repairs and maintenance. Trafalgar has insisted that, in addition, the council pay an ongoing subsidy.
“The council has determined that this is no longer appropriate with public finances under such pressure, noting Trafalgar Theatres is a profit-making company that pays dividends to its owners. In the absence of an agreement, Trafalgar’s contract with the council will cease on January 13 and the Beck Theatre will close while the consultants seek new management.”
Trafalgar have regularly disputed claims made by the council, and insist they offered to operate on a subsidy free basis. The theatre company accused the council of handling the case in an ‘unprofessional’ and ‘appalling’ manner.
The council also announced the appointment of commercial theatre consultants. In an effort to reassure residents of their commitment to the theatre, these consultants will ‘support its procurement of a long term operator’.
Jonathan Haynes, a Back the Beck campaigner, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he believes this is all part of the council’s plan to close the theatre, something the council has previously strongly denied.
He said: “We know that an operator has been engaged for three weeks with an option to open on January 5th. They can’t bring someone in after closure. This is all lies. It will close for good.
“Unfortunately, we saw this coming weeks ago. They have made sure there is no viable option and wound the clock down. They said they were positively engaging and now they’ve done this. It is gross incompetence and I am outraged.”
The Back the Beck campaign had already scheduled a demonstration outside Uxbridge Tube Station on Saturday, November 2. This is now expected to take place in even larger numbers, after hundreds turned up to previous demonstrations.
Councillor Stuart Mathers, Deputy Labour Leader on Hillingdon Council, told the LDRS: “We are deeply disappointed that the Conservative run Hillingdon Council are now at a point of seeking a new operator.
“They had one who had agreed to not receiving a subsidy and the council ran the clock down so that any proposal would need council support to be viable. This does not sound like the negotiations of a council wanting to keep the Beck open for the residents of Hillingdon.”
In the council statement, Council Leader Ian Edwards said: “We recognise the valuable contributions our theatres make to our communities and are committed to retaining a strong community arts and culture offer. Council officers and elected councillors continue to work tirelessly to secure the venue’s long-term stability as a commercial theatre without financial subsidy from the taxpayer. The consultants will begin their work immediately.”
Hillingdon Council has been contacted for further comment.
Philip is a Local Democracy Reporter covering Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow, with a focus on council decisions, housing, planning, licensing and community stories across west London.
