Peter Stewart

There'll be no big Christmas event this year, similar to the big top panto in Memorial Park last year. The report says that that event, quote, did require the council to incur substantial unbudgeted costs.

There'll be no big Christmas event this year, similar to the big top panto in Memorial Park last year. The report says that that event, quote, did require the council to incur substantial unbudgeted costs.

Now, the council report says, quote, it's not feasible to deliver a pantomime show in 2024 due to the costs and logistical challenges of delivery without a theatre venue, along with the risk of low ticket sales, making the show financially unviable.

Now, the council report says, quote, it's not feasible to deliver a pantomime show in 2024 due to the costs and logistical challenges of delivery without a theatre venue, along with the risk of low ticket sales, making the show financially unviable.

Apparently, the possibility of a smaller-scale Christmas show has been explored, but it would, they say, quote, present significant operational challenges and an additional budget requirement. So it seems unlikely.

Apparently, the possibility of a smaller-scale Christmas show has been explored, but it would, they say, quote, present significant operational challenges and an additional budget requirement. So it seems unlikely.

But of course, since the closure, the Harlequin team has had a space in the Belfry for some live performances and meetings, but the council's short-term agreement for that space is expected to end within the next few months.

But of course, since the closure, the Harlequin team has had a space in the Belfry for some live performances and meetings, but the council's short-term agreement for that space is expected to end within the next few months.

Well, not enough cash has been brought in from those, it seems. The report says, quote, it provides a positive cultural offering, but alone is not a sufficient harlequin offering in terms of cultural variety or financial viability.

Well, not enough cash has been brought in from those, it seems. The report says, quote, it provides a positive cultural offering, but alone is not a sufficient harlequin offering in terms of cultural variety or financial viability.

Well, no, not necessarily. The report just says it's looking at a business case for a medium-term cultural offering for the borough, quote, based in Redhill if possible, unquote, and that it will be, quote, no longer be based in Warwick Quadrant.

Well, no, not necessarily. The report just says it's looking at a business case for a medium-term cultural offering for the borough, quote, based in Redhill if possible, unquote, and that it will be, quote, no longer be based in Warwick Quadrant.

Over the next several months, staff will be looking to find what they call, quote, a venue for a cabaret-style performance space or possibly a partnership with a local school.

Over the next several months, staff will be looking to find what they call, quote, a venue for a cabaret-style performance space or possibly a partnership with a local school.

Well, undoubtedly, there will be a reduction in culture and arts offered locally. But it should be remembered that legally, under the Local Government Act of 2000, the Council has a duty to promote the social, economic and environmental well-being of its area, and that includes some cultural activities.

Well, undoubtedly, there will be a reduction in culture and arts offered locally. But it should be remembered that legally, under the Local Government Act of 2000, the Council has a duty to promote the social, economic and environmental well-being of its area, and that includes some cultural activities.

And the council says, quote, in the longer term, the ambition will be to have a cultural offering which is at least cost neutral or indeed surplus generating, as originally planned for the Harlequin. Councillor Nadine Moses, executive member for sustainability and leisure, is quoted as saying, quote,

And the council says, quote, in the longer term, the ambition will be to have a cultural offering which is at least cost neutral or indeed surplus generating, as originally planned for the Harlequin. Councillor Nadine Moses, executive member for sustainability and leisure, is quoted as saying, quote,

Our commitment to providing an arts and cultural offer in the medium and long term remains strong. However, while the theatre is closed, we need to rationalise our costs and focus our efforts on delivering future options. The council says it cannot at this time commit to retaining the Harlequin as a cultural centre for the arts in the heart of the borough,

Our commitment to providing an arts and cultural offer in the medium and long term remains strong. However, while the theatre is closed, we need to rationalise our costs and focus our efforts on delivering future options. The council says it cannot at this time commit to retaining the Harlequin as a cultural centre for the arts in the heart of the borough,