Labour call-in rejected as Prince of Wales Theatre decision stands

A Labour attempt to overturn the decision to retain and refurbish Cannock’s Prince of Wales Theatre has been rejected by councillors following a lengthy scrutiny meeting on Tuesday evening.

Cannock Chase District Council’s Economic Prosperity Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 22 September to consider a call-in of the Reform UK Cabinet’s decision to retain the theatre and explore bringing it back into use.

The call-in was led by Labour Group Leader Cllr Tony Johnson and supported by Labour councillors Mandy Dunnett, Maureen Freeman, Jeff Hill and Jacquie Prestwood.

They argued that retaining and refurbishing the theatre posed an “unacceptable financial and reputational risk” to the council and proposed instead returning to the wider Development Framework, which included redevelopment of the existing Prince of Wales Theatre site.

After an extensive debate, however, scrutiny members rejected the proposal, meaning the Cabinet’s strategic decision to retain and refurbish the theatre stands.

The outcome was supported by councillors from more than one political group, with Conservative and Green members joining those voting against sending the decision back.

Cabinet defends decision

Council Leader Cllr Paul Jones defended the Cabinet’s position during the meeting, telling members that both options for the town centre carried risks.

He said the Cabinet had considered officer advice, financial and legal issues, regeneration considerations and external expertise, including input from the Theatres Trust, before deciding that retaining the Prince of Wales was the option it wanted to explore further.

He also pointed to the views of residents, saying councillors had repeatedly heard about the importance of the theatre to Cannock’s history and identity.

The Cabinet decision does not commit the council to immediately spending the previously estimated £9.6 million on a full refurbishment.

Further surveys, design work, procurement and a full business case will be required before any final refurbishment scheme can proceed. The administration has also said it intends to explore whether the cost of bringing the theatre back into use can be significantly reduced.

Financial risks questioned

Labour councillors used the meeting to raise concerns over the potential refurbishment cost, the possibility of an ongoing subsidy and whether an operator could be secured for the venue.

Questions were also raised over whether retaining the theatre would restrict the wider regeneration of Cannock town centre.

Those defending the Cabinet decision stressed that it was a strategic direction, rather than approval of a final refurbishment project.

That distinction became an important part of the debate. By choosing retention at this stage, the council can continue investigating the future of the Prince of Wales while avoiding an irreversible decision to demolish the building before a new overall plan for Cannock town centre is developed.

The theatre had previously been earmarked for demolition under the former administration as part of the wider regeneration programme.

What happens next?

With the call-in rejected, the Cabinet’s August decision remains in place.

That means the council can now continue the work required to establish what a viable refurbishment could look like, including updated costs, detailed surveys and work towards finding an operator.

The wider future of Cannock town centre also remains a major issue. Members discussed the Civic Centre, retail provision, housing, education and cultural facilities during Tuesday’s meeting, with further work expected on a new overall approach to regeneration.

For the Prince of Wales itself, however, Tuesday evening removed the immediate challenge to the Cabinet’s decision.

The council’s chosen direction remains to retain the theatre, investigate refurbishment and seek a route towards bringing it back into use.