Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre, which closed nine years ago to make way for the multi-million pound Curve, may reopen as a space for live performance by spring 2017.
The city council tried to find someone to buy the Haymarket’s lease and bring the building back into use, but no viable proposals were received.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby admits the Haymarket has been a “drain” on resources since it closed, costing the authority about £1.5 million in service charges and other costs.
Now he has announced his intention to invest £2.2 million in the building to help a consortium bring it up to the standards required to turn it into a performance and training venue.
“When the council signed a 99-year lease for the theatre in 1974, it couldn’t have anticipated that the facility would be made redundant 33 years later and become such a huge burden on public funds. It’s time to bite the bullet and turn this liability into an asset for the city,” said Soulsby.
“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to find an operator with a plan that appears to offer the theatre a sustainable future. The council’s investment will create a new, cultural destination in the city centre that will offer opportunities for jobs, training and work experience.”
Subject to legal agreements, an initial, five-year sub-lease will be granted to Haymarket Consortium Ltd, which includes a group of individuals brought together from a variety of backgrounds to try to bring the Haymarket back into use.
Director Jed Spittle said, “our aim is to create a fully equipped professional performance and rehearsal space that will finally put an end to the city council’s financial responsibilities for the building.”
Fellow director Chris Knight added, “we’ve established that there’s a demand for industry-led training. The concept being developed is that of a teaching and training theatre where students are taught through a mixture of theory and practical sessions, working alongside a professional team.”
The auditorium will be refurbished, with 800 new seats and a new sound and lighting system being installed. Work may start in autumn 2016.