A decision on funding is due later this month which could see the return of tiered seating used by local theatre groups at Victoria Hall in Keighley.
The town's MP Robbie Moore has raised the issue with outgoing Bradford Council chief executive Kersten England, following concerns by community arts groups who said the loss of tiered seating made the venue much less attractive for them to use.
Local MP Robbie Moore has called for the return of tiered seating at Victoria Hall in Keighley after raising the case with the Chief Executive of Bradford Council, Kersten England.
The Keighley Musical Theatre Company says it is at financial risk if it continues to use the Victoria Hall because there are currently around 100 fewer seats available per performance at the venue.
Concerns have also been raised that audience satisfaction levels are lower with all the seating being on a single level. Other groups in the community also say they are also put off from booking the Victoria Hall and look elsewhere to venues that have tiered seating.
Bradford Council was forced to close the previous tiered seating plan at Victoria Hall after safety concerns were raised. Local groups say they were promised replacement seating in 2020 but are still awaiting news.
After meetings with Kersten England, Mr Moore says that a funding application is now being considered. The MP is urging council leaders to sign off on the funding urgently so that local arts groups can use the venue once again for maximum impact.
The MP says he has has also stressed to Bradford Council that with City of Culture 2025 approaching, it is vitally important that the whole of the district reaps the rewards, and that capital investment into Victoria Hall for renewing the tiered seating should not be forgotten.
Robbie Moore MP said: “Following my lobbying to Bradford Council, including meetings with the Chief Executive, Kersten England, I am pleased to hear that a funding application to finally get tiered seating safely back at Victoria Hall is being considered, with a final decision to be made later in August.
"Following the loss of the tiered seating at Victoria Hall some time ago, local drama groups have been struggling to get any reassurance from Bradford Council that the seating would be replaced, despite previous promises being made. This has had a negative impact on audience numbers, audience experience and led to some drama and arts groups looking outside of Keighley to hold their performances.
"It is vitally important that Keighley maintains a good venue for the performing arts, and I therefore thank Kersten for her time on this issue and for listening to our concerns. My message is clear: If the Council is indeed serious about celebrating City of Culture 2025 across our entire District, then our local arts, drama and dance groups should have the same performance space opportunities as other parts of the District.
"With the autumn and winter performances fast approaching, I urge the Council to support ALL parts of our District and sign off on this funding as soon as possible and get the renewal work underway."
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