Partner Article

Darlington theatre given temporary reprieve

ONE of the region’s theatres has been given a 12-month reprieve by council bosses faced with making £20m worth of savings.

In November, Darlington Council announced that the Civic Theatre would close because of government cuts.

The Labour-controlled council now estimates 360 jobs will be lost and has pledged to keep the historic theatre open until at least January 2012 if a buyer is not found.

Council leader, John Williams, said: “In November we were only able to guess at the level of reductions the government required.

“Following the government’s announcements in December, we now have the final confirmation of the significant reduction in public spending we face.

“Our estimates were right in that we have to reduce our annual spending bill by £20m by 2015 on top of savings we have already made. This is the most significant reduction in funding we have ever faced.”

The council stressed efforts would still be made to sell the theatre.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .