North-East News
Plea to developers to help save Darlington Arts Centre
8:00am Monday 13th February 2012
A COMMUNITY group working to save an arts centre at risk of closure has urged developers from across the region, and beyond, to come up with ideas for the future of the building.
Darlington for Culture (DfC) said losing part of Darlington Arts Centre to flats or affordable housing would be preferable to seeing the building boarded up and unsold.
Darlington Borough Council is looking to close the centre, in the town’s Vane Terrace, and use the sale of the site for a purpose-built venue next to the town hall.
The closure of the centre will save about £530,000 from the authority’s £22m budget shortfall.
In a statement DfC said: “Our favoured option has always been to run the centre as a going concern, but we acknowledge that such an arrangement might have to be in partnership with a developer, who may wish to change part of the complex, leaving the remainder as an arts centre.
“DfC acknowledge that Government cuts mean huge savings need to be made, but passionately believe there can be a way to save the arts centre the town holds dear.”
DfC chairman Nick Brewster said: “One of the things we want to see is whether any developers might be interested in looking at the site to the rear of the centre to see if it could be developed into affordable housing or apartments.
The money released through that could be used to support the arts centre in the front.
“One of our worries is that a decision to sell the centre is made by the council, it cannot be sold and then it sits there boarded up. In this economic climate who knows if anybody will come forward to put the money into it.”
A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: “The council is facing very tough decisions on how we will provide services on a much reduced budget.
“We have welcomed residents’ feedback, which will help us shape the final budget proposals.
“A range of different options are being considered to help ensure Darlington remains a place where arts and culture can thrive.”
Darlington Arts Centre will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on February 22, before a final decision at full council on March 1.