News and Events
Derbyshire campaigners wait for decision on Matlock Bath Pavilion
17th Feb 2011
The Matlock Bath Pavilion Group has been campaigning to run the venue as a multi-arts space since last year. Derbyshire Dales District Council is now considering whether to give the group a three-year lease of the venue following an officer recommendation. They estimate they will need �2.6 million to transform the site into the new venue. If the campaigners� fund-raising efforts are successful, they will then be able to buy the freehold of the property from the council for �1 under the plans.
Chairman of the Matlock Bath Pavilion Group, Gregor Macgregor, said: �With this platform, it enables us to then go ahead to the grant-funding bodies.
�We believe we can run this paying our way and there must be lots of other theatres that would be in that position as well.�
He said that the group still needed to raise most of the money required.
The group has now transformed itself into a company called Grand Pavilion Ltd that will run the venue as a commercial venture if the council approves the proposals and the fund-raising campaign is successful.
Geoff Stevens, DDDC�s deputy leader, said: �The Matlock Bath Pavilion Group has been impressive in the way it has gone about furthering its ambitions for this important building which, unfortunately from the district council�s point of view, has been a drain on resources in recent years.
�While this grand old building is surplus to the district council�s needs, we absolutely support the idea of giving the local community the opportunity to give it a new lease of life without risking other public services.�
Matlock Bath Pavilion was built in 1910 and includes a mining museum and tourist information point. However, the majority of the space is unused at present.
Source: The Stage
