More public money for the Dome
The Millennium Commission has given an additional £47m to NMEC, the operators of the Millennium Dome, and has, for the second time, replaced its chairman. The new chairman is David James, who has a reputation as a successful trouble-shooter for businesses in trouble.
Reaction from the opposition was immediate. Shadow Culture Secretary Peter Ainsworth said the new grant was "beyond a joke", whilst Tory leader William Hague said, "The time has come to pull the plug on Domefoolery" and called for the sacking of Lord Falconer, the minister in charge.
Lord Falconer defended the Millennium Commission (which distributes money from the National Lottery for millennium celebrations and projects), saying that it would have been more expensive to close the Dome than to give the extra cash.
When the news of the new grant first broke, it was said in the press that future owners, Japanese finance compant Namura, were shocked by the announcement and were considering withdrawing their offer. However Namura later denied this.
This is the second emergency grant given to the Dome this year. On 22nd May the Commission gave NMEC an additional £29m, although the company had asked for £38.6m. The latest grant brings to total amount of public money invested in the Dome to £579m. And David James is the third NMEC chairman this year.
James has told the Dome employees that their jobs are safe, for it is not their fault, he said, that the attraction has not attracted as many people as was planned. In fact, it was the low visitor rate over the summer, below what was needed for the Dome to break even, which forced NMEC to approach the Commission for the additional grant.
In a separate development it has been announced that there will be three free rock concerts at the Dome on 25th, 26th and 27th September.
The Annual London Open House this year will be held on 23rd and 24th September. Amongst around 500 buildings of architectual importance open to the public will be the Tricycle in Kilburn, the Dominion Theatre in Tottenham Court Road, the Hackney Empire, the Circus Space, the Lyric Hammersmith, the Queen's at Hornchurch, the Almeida, the Post Office Theatre, the Royal Court, the Old Vic, the South London Theatre, the Lewisham Theatre, the Jerwood Space, Battersea Arts centre, Clapham Grand Theatre and the Apollo Victoria.
Many will be offering guided tours. Admission is free but, because of matinees or other reasons, times of admission vary and anyone interested in visiting should contact the venue(s) for details of times.
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