FUTURIST fans were out in force yesterday to influence Scarborough Council's thinking on the fate of the theatre – and to retain its capacity for pulling in the big names.
Dozens packed the council chamber's public gallery – a rare sight at meetings in the borough – to support the fight to retain it.
The council has now formed a task group to discuss the future of the Futurist – one that could allow for a new or refurbished theatre, but could also see it be demolished to make way for a nightclub, restaurant or car park, among other options.
Campaigner Patricia David addressed the authority's corporate strategy overview and scrutiny committee and told members:
"If a new independent structural survey shows it is not financially viable to restore the present building, then a new modern 'Futurist' of comparable size should be built as an integral part of the area development.
"Building with a theatre should be the number one priority for the future prosperity of this town. Building without a theatre should not be negotiable – it should not even be an option."
Her speech was greeted with applause from the public gallery.
Committee members welcomed the move to form a task group – and expressed a near-unanimous desire to be part of it.
Cllr David Jeffels, a former cabinet member for tourism and culture, said he felt a case could be made for involving theatrical impresarios on the task group. He added: "This is a very important site – we've got to make sure we get it right. The task group should start with a blank piece of paper and take all views into account."
For more on this story and Patricia David's speech in full see the Scarborough Evening News
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