Potential lifeline for the regeneration of Yeovil's Octagon Theatre
Last night (October 10), Town Councillors got together and voted in principle to financially support the project
The flagging regeneration of the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil has been thrown a potential lifeline by the town council.
The theatre, located on Hendford in the town centre, has been closed since April ahead of a major redevelopment which would enable it to attract larger touring productions and accommodate larger audience numbers.
The £30m project has been thrown into jeopardy as a result of rising inflation and higher interest rates, with Somerset Council’s executive voting on October 4 to put the revamp on hold and “explore all the options” for the venue’s future.
Yeovil Town Council has now offered a potential way forward, voting in principle to financially support the project and work in close partnership with the unitary authority going forward.
The town council made this commitment at a special meeting held on Tuesday evening (October 10) at the Westlands Entertainment Venue on Westbourne Close – a venue councillors had stepped in to save when it was threatened with closured back in 2015.
Councillor Graham Oakes made a passionate defence of the regeneration, arguing that delivering such a nationally significant project would have wide-reaching benefits.
He said: “The Octagon is 50 years old next year and she’s starting to look a bit tired. She can’t host the big productions, the West End shows I go to Bristol to watch.
“She doesn’t have enough seats; she needs to get bigger. She doesn’t have enough toilets.
“She’s simply no longer fit for purpose. She has got a few holes in here, and they will need to be filled – but the good news is there’s no asbestos.
“The new theatre would attract a wider range of acts and companies, putting on shows which currently require a trip to Bristol or Southampton. If you can put on the big shows, you can afford to put on the local shows – you need one to keep the other going.
“Nothing can happen overnight. There will be a lead time until you start becoming successful, but I believe Adam Burgan the theatre’s manager and his team will do that as quickly as possible.”
Mr Oakes – who represents the Yeovil East division on Somerset Council – said he had been in discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) about drawing down its £10m grant upfront, delaying the need to borrow until interest rates had come down.
He added that revamping the Octagon Theatre was essential to ensuring that businesses in the town centre remained viable – pointing to the recent news of Pittards entering administration.
He said: “The economy of Yeovil has taken a hell of a hit – the Pittards news was awful.
“You can either say ‘it’s awful’, or you can say ‘it’s awful, but we can make it better’.
“We the town council have a history of getting involved – we supported the Octagon for many years and continue to do so. In 2015, Leonardo announced they were closing Westlands, and we said ‘no’.
“There are only two options left. Somerset Council could find the money to reopen the Octagon in its current form, but they’ve give £10m back to the government and Somerset would be in the wilderness as far as Arts Council England is concerned.
“The other option is we keep the promise, work with partners to fund-raise and pump-prime it. We’re not borrowing the money today, it would be in two or three years’ time, when interest rates will have come down.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Let’s be proud of our town – let’s be confident.”
Numerous members of the public spoke in favour of the regeneration continuing, arguing that the benefits would be wide-reaching and long-lasting.
Liz Pike said: “We all know how important this is. In 1974, inflation was 23 per cent, our housing interest rate was 14 per cent, but the Johnson Hall the Octagon Theatre’s original name emerged and we’ve been using it ever since.
“I want us all to remember that our theatre is there for our well-being and the future of Yeovil.”
James Bamford, co-founder of the Yeovil-based Project Dance, said: “It’s our local theatre which ignited in me the passion for the arts. It’s the opportunities I experienced at the Octagon which helped me find my purpose.
“I think it’s time we as people of Yeovil and Somerset were a bit more ambitious about what we deserve and what our children deserve.”
Mark Rudd, chairman of Yeovil Amateur Operatics Society (YAOS), was more cautious, believing that the work should go ahead but in more manageable phases to reduce cost and disruption.
He said: “We’re talking about a huge investment here, and I’m wondering if there’s any way we can attack it piecemeal, biting chunks off it at a time rather than going in full frontal?”
Others were highly critical, believing that the theatre should simply reopen in its current form to prevent further borrowing.
A online petition to reopen the theatre, organised by the Save Our Theatre group, has already received more than 1,000 signatures.
Clifford Ainsworth, who recently moved to Yeovil, said: “We are where we are, and I think sense needs to prevail. The one thing I have not heard is any timetable or end point – my fear is that this is just going to go on and on. I would like to see the theatre reopened as it is.”
Councillor Nigel Gage added: “Only today, the IMF announced that the UK faces another five years of high interest rates. The amount of money needed to be raised by the town council will be substantial, and will have an impact for years ahead.”
Councillor Tareth Casey – who has been highly critical of the Yeovil Refresh being overseen by Somerset Council in the town centre – concurred: “There are a lack of tangible benefits to Yeovil in the business case and nothing to justify the level of debt.
“Many families are already priced out from attending the theatre. This is not a viable investment opportunity – the business case does not stack up.”
Adam Burgan, the manager of both the Octagon Theatre and Westlands, asked the public to be patient with him and his team while the project’s scope and finances were reassessed.
He said: “What I would ask is a bit of patience at this time. Somerset Council
needs time to explore the options.
“This is an amazing opportunity we have been given. We want to build you a better venue that serves our community for generations to come.
“I know the figures are scary, but we’re working very hard looking for opportunities and ensuring we provide you with value for money.”
The town council voted by 12 votes to two to support the motion. Its officers will now work with the Public Works Loan Board and Somerset Council to judge how much money can reasonably be borrowed and repaid, and over what period time.
Any decision on the precise figures for borrowing will have to come back before the town council for approval.
The options appraisal for the Octagon Theatre project, and an update on the revised business case, is expected to come before Somerset Council’s executive committee early in the new year.
To sign the Save Our Theatre petition, visit their site on change.org.