30.11.24 Update: 

On Thursday 24th October 2024, Cannock Council Cabinet voted in favour of entering a consultation period with the view to permanently close the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Alongside this was the option of closing the Museum of Cannock Chase.

If this appalling decision Is made, then there will be no Theatre in Cannock Town Centre, no venue for children to perform, no space suitable for amateur dramatic societies and no fantastic evenings of entertainment from professional artistes, along side the redundancies of all the employees, impact on the other local businesses and it will kill the arts within Cannock Chase District.

How can you help?

1.Complete the Councils Consultation survey HERE and air your views to save the theatre, by filling in the freeform boxes.
2.Fill in this petition.
3.Spread the word, forward this petition to your work colleagues, family, circles of friends and contact your local councillors/ MP’s
 

Consultation Details:

The consultation is open from 29 November 2024 to 2 January 2025.

Your feedback will be considered before a final decision is made at the Council meeting on 12 February 2025.

Drop-In Sessions: If you need support completing the survey,  please attend one of the public sessions on:

Tuesday 17 Dec, 4.30pm - 6.30pm at the Prince of Wales Theatre

Thursday 19 Dec, 10am - 12noon at Rugeley Community Church

The results of the consultation will be reported back to the Council’s Cabinet for consideration on 30 January 2025.

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On Thursday 28th November 2024, Cannock Chase District Council are proposing to the Cabinet to Close the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock. Along with The Museum of Cannock Chase, killing all culture services within the Cannock District and to audiences who travel from further afield into the district. 

The Prince of Wales Theatre has been a long standing, successful and loved venue within Cannock Town Centre for 40 years and is visited by over 70,000 people a year which includes audience members, performers which includes professional artistes, local amateur dramatics groups, musicians, children's performing arts schools, dance schools and local educational establishments, not to mention the wonderful volunteers who have given their time for years of dedication to the venue, and the staff who are all now facing redundancies.

Information released by the Council can be found within a 199 page document, which can be viewed here: View Pages 179-187 

Closure of the theatre- things to consider; 

• No venue for our amateur dramatic societies to use or be able to afford including groups of individuals with learning needs/physical disabilities who get to experience the joy of performing and improving social development. 
• Children's dance schools, performance groups would be displaced and have no where to experience the opportunity to perform on a stage of suitability affecting children's independence, confidence building and social development. 
• Cannock Town centre is already run to the ground, closure of the theatre would kill any decent night life or bring people into the town, negatively impacting on tourism and income for the local pubs, restaurants and public transport services. 
• 30-50 individuals will loose their jobs, people who have given years and years of service working for the council venues, and including volunteers. 
• The theatre positively impacts on the mental health and wellbeing, including the decrease of depression and anxiety(there are public studies to prove this) of all users of the venue.
• Audience members pay good money to enjoy fantastic evenings of professional entertainment opting to support local theatre, with large groups of people who return time and time again. 
• The initial Levelling Up bid produced by the council was obtained on the proviso of renovating the Prince of Wales- where has that money now gone? 
• The theatre is a great champion for culture and arts in the district, the negative impact on individuals, groups, children, families, theatre and arts lovers will be tragic. 

If you wish to show your support to saving a place that is not only loved, but is so many peoples life, please attend the Cabinet Meeting on Thursday 28th November 2024, 6pm at Cannock Council Chambers, Civic Centre. Subsequently please attend any public consultations for which we will do our best to ensure the dates are shared publicly, along side any protests or further activities in support of keeping our favourite theatre open.  

Lastly, sign this petition, share it, forward to your work colleagues, family, circles of friends, contact the local councillors/ MP's and spread the word. 

Cannock Chase Council cannot be allowed to go ahead with such shambolic and horrifying behaviour. Hold your heads in shame! 

For anyone who would like to show their support further. Contact can be made to this dedicated email address: 

savetheprinceofwalestheatre@hotmail.com 

Thank you 

#savetheprinceofwalescannock Team