The cast of the Dennis Lowe Theatre Company's panto Aladdin, who performed their show for the last time.
Felixstowe: Theatre closes its doors for final time
Sunday, January 6, 2013
7:41 PM
After 103 years, the town’s Spa Pavilion formally closed its doors today as a venue for seafront entertainment.
The cast of the panto Aladdin bid a final farewell as their run in the historic building came to an end.
Uncertainty now surrounds its future as supporters cling to the hope that a new operator will take over the theatre.
In January last year it was announced that Suffolk Coastal’s decided to axe the £240,000-a-year subsidy paid to the theatre management company to run the venue.
Property consultancy firm Jones Lang LaSalle have been appointed to sell the freehold of the 892-seater seafront venue, which could be taken over by another theatre operator or perhaps converted into another attraction or a mix of tourism-related uses.
Sylvia Lowe, director of the Dennis Lowe Theatre Company, said: “It is just so sad – I am devastated. We never believed this could happen.”
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5 comments
This is a disgrace the only real attraction in Felixstowe is now closed, so another nail in its coffin. So what now for Felixstowes mature senior persons, a paddle then a pint because thats all thats left.
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ged scott
Monday, January 7, 2013
well said elise moreton..
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FINN.BLUE
Monday, January 7, 2013
This is just a symptom of the appalling hash District Councils have made of running the public buildings and facilities that were handed to them on a plate (along with jobs, councillors, expenses, high salaries and the rest) in 1974. Waveney have also brought buildings and facilities in Bungay, Beccles, Lowestoft and Halesworth to the brink of destruction, which was only averted because the people (not the Council or the Councillors) valued them enough to stick their necks out and do something about saving them. It's a pity the same strength of feeling and determination doesn't seem to be present in Felixstowe.
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T Doff
Monday, January 7, 2013
Very sad news. Other theatres in our region please note - you could be next.
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Boris
Sunday, January 6, 2013
The closure of this building should never have happened.The Council should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves for allowing it to happen.When I think of the chaos that must have cost thousands of pounds, in Hamilton Road and Bent Hill,Has all this made life any easier I dont think so. The fat cats at the council should now be feeling so ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen. As regards to the upgrade of the Spa gardens another load of rubbish all it needs is a tidy up.The lottery grant could have helped with the Spa but no this is money again being wasted.The vandals are going to love this. This has made me so angry,I am feeling ashamed of the fact that I was born in Felixstowe and have to see these people ruin the place.They should remember who pay there wages.
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Elise Moreton
Sunday, January 6, 2013