E-mail to a friend

Kingston’s Rose rescued by borough council

Published Tuesday 6 January 2009 at 15:50 by Lalayn Baluch

Kingston’s Rose Theatre has been saved from closure thanks to a £1.8 million rescue package from the borough council.

The theatre, which cost £11 million to establish and opened last January, will receive £600,000 annually, starting this month for a three-year period.

The decision to grant the cash was a controversial one which split the council down the middle, and was agreed by the tightest margin - 20 to 19.

The funding is being given on the condition that the venue boosts its community involvement and aims to increase participation among children and families.

Under the new arrangement, the Rose will be required to set up a youth theatre, hold matinee performances for primary schools, offer free tickets to children and create an arts education programme for secondary schools.

Kingston Council leader Derek Osbourne said that in its first year of operation, the venue had made a “clearly tangible” impact on the local economy.

He added: “The theatre is a long-held ambition of Kingston Council and as a community leader, we have an important role demonstrating confidence in new enterprise and creating an environment for economic success, particularly during difficult times.

“Kingston has a thriving commercial centre during the day, but if we are to sustain our strong market position, we need to keep broadening the offer we make visitors. The theatre has a fundamental role in the borough’s After Dark strategy that is opening up Kingston as a destination of choice for people of all ages during the evening.”

The Rose will be able to repay the council over 100 years in instalments of £18,000, and will not have to pay £160,000 in interest accrued on a previous loan.

The creation of the 900-seat playhouse modelled on the Elizabethan original - spearheaded by director Peter Hall - has been fraught with difficulties over the past few years. In 2005, a report by the Audit Commission revealed that funds for the project were lacking, leading to the local authority giving the venue its first rescue package, totalling £3 million.

In October last year, the venue revealed that it was facing severe financial difficulties and would be forced to close if it did not receive public cash.

Rose Theatre executive director David Fletcher said: “The theatre can now concentrate on developing its audiences further and producing rich and varied programmes. We look forward to celebrating our first birthday on January 16 and to a busy and happy year ahead at the Rose.”

E-mail to a friend