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11,000 reasons to save our theatre

27/ 2/2008

CAMPAIGNERS trying to secure the future of Tameside Hippodrome this week handed in a petition to Tameside Council containing more 11,000 signatures.

But campaigners still want more people to sign up and support the campaign.

Stage hand Tony Wigglesworth joined other staff to hand over the petition to Councillor John Bell, a member of the working party set up by the council to save the theatre.

Mr Wigglesworth said: "I feel the theatre has been saved but I would still urge people to sign the petition to support the Hippodrome."

One possibility the working group will look at is setting up the theatre as a community-led facility. A co-operative is another idea.

But while the working group has a budget of £900,000 to spend, staff are still being made redundant when the Hippodrome closes for the summer on 31 March. Local groups have grave concerns over the theatre’s future.

Ashton Operatic Society celebrates 90 years of doing shows at the Hippodrome with its production of 42nd Street next month.

Secretary Brian Plant said: "What has been proposed is encouraging and we would be interested in becoming involved. We need to know more before we commit ourselves.

"The theatre will need to be staffed and we would like to know what the money given to the working group is for."

Dukinfield Operatic Society chairman Norma Dean said: "We’re disappointed that we won’t be able to have a 2008 show as it will be the first time for 63 years we’ve not had one. This is a step in the right direction."

Councillor Bell said: "The petition shows the strength of feeling in the town.

"It is essential we keep the theatre open."

Councillor Jackie Lane, who will chair the working group, said: "I’m disappointed people still felt the need to hand in a petition despite the public announcement of support the council made to the theatre groups at last week’s Full Council meeting

"We hope to have the first meeting of the working group in the next two weeks. No plans have been made for the money as people will come up with different ideas."