Derby Arts and Theatre Association
Temporary Performance Venue
Derby City Council have terminated the project to refurbish the Assembly Rooms, and said that the Guildhall Theatre will be closed for an extended period while a holistic view is taken of all of the repairs needed to the building, including the roof. The Guildhall closure has caused major financial and logistical problems to a number of amateur groups who have had to either cancel productions or relocate them to other venues, in some cases outside the city e.g. Repton and Long Eaton. Indeed, there are amateur companies who are in such great financial difficulties that they could fold.
Given these circumstances, DATA have been lobbying the Council hard for a temporary performance venue close to the city centre. We are pleased to report that, on Monday 2nd March, the Leader of the Council (Councillor Chris Poulter) announced that a temporary performance venue will be provided on the Market Place while the Assembly Rooms remain closed. We have also received a personal assurance from Councillor Poulter that we will be invited to a meeting in a few weeks when further details of the project will be shared.
This demonstrates the value of amateur theatre and music groups working together, through DATA, for our common good.