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Dateline: 5th October, 2008
Mermaid and £6m Lost London's Mermaid Theatre in Puddle Dock, Blackfriars, no longer has theatre status as a result of a decision by the City of London. Developers Blackfriars Investments Ltd will therefore be able to demolish the building without including a theatre in the redevelopment or paying the £6m which they offered in 2003 in lieu of any obligation to replace the theatre. This money was to be given to the City Corporation, on the understanding that it would be used to help create new or improve existing theatre buildings within the City of London or its immediate surroundings. (See the statement from the Theatres Trust of 21st March, 2003. See also the statement by the Mayor at the time Ken Livingstone.) Now the City of London has granted the building a change of use certificate, so now there is no obstacle to the developers' redeveloping the site as it they choose. They intend to replace the Mermaid with offices, a fitness suite, and retail space. A City of London spokeswoman said that certificate was granted because it was satisfied that the building had been used as a conference and events centre for ten years and so the certificate was simply confirmation of the legal position. The corporation, she said, had no choice. Campaigner John Levitt, former chair of the Save London’s Theatres Campaign, told The Stage newspaper, "The developers have made it impossible for producers to use it as a theatre even for short runs, because of the way that they put in their own bookings. There are many young producers who would love to come in and take over the theatre, if they knew they had got it and could use it properly." The 2003 statement from the Theatres Trust said, "The Trust will use every reasonable means at its disposal to ensure that the £6 million is made available, and on satisfactory terms, so that if the Mermaid is lost, there will be a lasting benefit to other theatre buildings." This week its director, Mhora Samuel, called the decision "a very sad day" and added, "The change of use means any future development of the theatre site will not be bound by the previous agreement. The Theatres Trust will be doing everything in its power to secure the £6 million previously promised."
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