Newton Abbot theatre: talks about talks

It's future is uncertain

Calls have been made for a meeting between Teignbridge District Council and campaigners against regeneration plans for the town’s cinema and theatre.

The district authority owns the historic Alexandra building, but as part of a £9.2 million redevelopment programme for the town centre, it is set to become part of an upgraded market hall and social complex.

While a new multiplex cinema will be built in the adjacent unit currently used by New Look, the proposal to turn the Alexandra cinema into a bar/restaurant and events venue, with a high quality market space in the existing market area requires knocking down the dividing internal wall. People opposed to the plans say it won’t provide a suitable space for theatre.

The proposal, made possible by a multi-million pound offer from the government’s Future High Streets fund, has angered opponents who say the town needs its performance space. Teignbridge’s leadership have said that they will work with local groups to ensure anyone affected by the changes can have their say, before formal plans through the planning process are submitted..

Newton Abbot Town Council members voted in favour of asking Teignbridge officials to meet with them and representatives of the Friends of the Alexandra Theatre who have alternative ideas.

Town Clerk Phil Rowe said: “Newton Abbot Town Council is keen to understand both sides in this debate which has prompted some strong feelings. I hope that by brokering a meeting between Teignbridge and the Friends we can help bridge the divide.

“The Alex is owned by Teignbridge which is also the planning authority and will have the power to grant a redevelopment if formally proposed, and it is the Town Council’s belief that more talks at this stage cannot harm anyone’s position and could in fact help determine a way forward, so we look forward to a date being agreed.”

At last Tuesday’s Teignbridge executive meeting, questions were asked by Andrew Malcolm, Chairman of the Friends of the Alexandra Theatre. He asked: “Will the executive, and in turn full council, be prepared to commit to accepting, perusing, and exploring the business plan drawn up by FoTAT alongside their own plans, and those of others, to arrive at a final democratic decision based purely on merit of the plans alone?"

In response, Cllr Nina Jeffries, executive member for economy and jobs, said: “The democratic decision made was to progress the vision to create a single building with a variety of cohesive uses that can be used by all. The plans will be based on the FHSF bid submitted and as advertised for the Market Hall and Corn Exchange (Alexandra Cinema) to be used as one building which will become the focal point for the Markets Quarter.

“The council cannot look at one part in isolation, because it forms a comprehensive package of interlinking transformational works. Ultimately the final decision will be based on viability and the business plan which includes the strategic, economic, commercial, financial and management case....Our goal is to meet the needs and interests of the widest range of local people and communities. When the detailed plans are complete, local people will have a final opportunity to influence them before works commence as part of the planning approval stage.”

Alexandra internal concept (courtesy: Teignbridge District Council)

As well as the work around the Alexandra Cinema and the Market Hall, the bid includes upgrades to Queen Street and the National Cycle Network Route, the building of a new state-of-the-art cinema in the current New Look store, with the council saying that ‘the regeneration will help transform the town centre into a vibrant and welcoming place to visit, boosting footfall and local spend and creating a premier market destination for the wider area.’

When the proposals were discussed at a full council meeting in April, councillors voted by 33 votes to seven, with one abstention, to approve the budget as part of the regeneration.

The Market Hall plans would transform the existing Market and Food Hall, Alexandra Cinema and Market Square to include a new eating quarter, a state of the art cinema, a remodelled entertainment and events venue and a high quality market space, and would re-connect the Alexandra Cinema and Market Hall buildings to create a flexible market, food & events space.

Teignbridge Council has listed the Alexandra Cinema building as an Asset of Community Value, which means that if the council ever considered selling the building it would first be offered to the local community, with Teignbridge also confirming the building is not for sale.