THE FIGHT goes on, say the Friends of Newton Abbot Theatre.

Spokesman Andrew Malcolm said they were ‘thoroughly disappointed’ at Teignbridge Council’s decision to approve plans to make changes to the Alexandra Theatre as part of its wider aim to improve the town centre.

Mr Malcolm said he was particularly disappointed that an amendment to allow more time to explore other options was defeated.

He told the Mid-Devon Advertiser: ‘We are pleased to see there were clearly more councillors who are concerned about the plans being pushed through.

‘But clearly there were not enough to sway the balance of the vote.

‘In terms of going forward, we still think there is room for change but there is a groundswell who don’t want the council’s plans.

‘We can see no way at all for them to be able to offer the style and type of entertainment which we can provide.

‘Of course the devil is in the detail which we don’t know yet.’

He denied the Friends were any kind of ‘fringe’ political group, a claim which has been made against them. In response to the agreement to set up a steering group, he fears it will be a group of ‘pro’ councillors and a number of other ‘token, cherry picked’ individuals.

He said: ‘It will be them choosing the colour of the paint and curtains.’

He also highlighted the response to the Theatres Trust which is a statutory body to be involved in any plans for theatres.

He claimed Teignbridge Council had ‘ignored’ the trust and that was before Historic England, the body which listed the theatre, have responded.

‘A rare piece of our heritage’

TEIGNBRIDGE Cllr Andrew MacGregor said after the meeting:

‘The council voted today to approve the outline budget allocations for the ‘Future High Street Fund (FHSF) funded regeneration of Newton Abbot.

‘Despite the very vocal opposition by local residents and some Newton Abbot councillors, any and all attempts to look at alternative options were rebuffed.

‘Council Leader Cllr Alan Connett, implies that if councillors wanted to retain the theatre, then they should reject the FHSF entirely and see Newton Abbot wither.

‘Cllr Daws highlighted the leave of consultation with The Theatre Trust and English Heritage in respect to removing the theatre and altering a Grade II listed building.

‘I weighed in with two significant points regarding the proposed outline plans in response to points raised by Cllr Jackie Hook and Cllr Nina Jeffries. This theatre was listed with its status as a theatre and that includes the rear wall and proscenium arch designed in the same manner as those in London and the Midlands… it is a rare piece of heritage in Devon.

‘Cllr Jeffries’ introduction included those who will be experiencing increasing struggles to feed and heat, having to make a decision on which, as inflation, energy rises and food bills climb.

‘Removing the theatre and replacing it is depriving those on lower incomes easy access to cultural capital and isn’t a pro-social choice.’

Cllr MacGregor insisted though that he ‘backed the regeneration and use of the funding for the benefit of Newton Abbot’ but expressed the view that there has to be a better solution for the Market building.