Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton, redevelopment plan remains on hold as Firepool work progresses

More than 3,000 people signed a petition calling on Somerset West and Taunton to commit to supporting the Brewhouse Theatre with £1.2 million over the next five years.

The Taunton Theatre Association – which runs the theatre – had hoped to begin a large-scale revamp in 2021, after work finished on the neighbouring Coal Orchard site.

But the council put these plans on hold in 2019 as it sought to rethink its vision for the vacant Firepool site, which could now include a new multi-purpose venue.

TTA chair of trustees Val Hammond addressed the full council in Taunton on Tuesday evening (January 15), saying more funding would provide a greater sense of certainty as to whether the venue could continue operating.

It comes after the venue launched a Back The Brewhouse campaign in your County Gazette last year - urging residents to support the theatre plans.

She said: “With uncertainty regarding the planned redevelopment and funding, we are uncertain as to whether we can continue to deliver the breadth and quality of the arts we have provided since we reopened [the Brewhouse].

“During the Christmas show, The Railway Children, we had to close the theatre when water poured through the roof and into the electricity board. This kind of unplanned expense is very likely to occur given the age of the building

“It is harder to regenerate a lost theatre than to keep a successful venture going. Please engage with us to find a solution that works for all.”

The TTA’s planned revamp of the Brewhouse was meant to cost £20m.

READ MORE: Back The Brewhouse - 'use it or lose it' plea from Taunton theatre

Councillor Benet Allen, portfolio holder for communications and culture, said the council would continue to provide £132,000 as an annual grant for the Brewhouse, as well as a one-off sum of £28,000 to cover urgent repairs.

But he refused to commit to any further increase in financial support at the time, and confirmed the redevelopment project would remain on hold.

He said: “We are very pleased with TTA’s stewardship of the Brewhouse, but I think we can all agree the building has problems – it is not in the best physical shape.

“Since we are considering new developments in Firepool, we must keep the theatre redevelopment project on hold for the time being.”

The council’s revamped Firepool proposals – which could get underway by the end of 2020 – include the creation of a multi-purpose venue on the site, which could include space for theatrical performances.

If the business case for such a venue is approved, it could be constructed and operational by 2022.

Councillor Caroline Ellis called for the original Brewhouse redevelopment case to be made public, and warned that allowing the theatre to close would be detrimental to the town’s economy.

She said: “We cannot let the Brewhouse go to rack and ruin – without it this town is nothing. You will have people moving out in droves if that is allowed to happen.”

Councillor Norman Cavill added: “If you’re moving a company into this area, you want an arts culture and you want that presentation at the local theatre.

“If we want to be a booming economic town, we need a vibrant theatre – and it needs to be a size that makes it viable.”

READ MORE: Multi-million pound redevelopment revealed for Taunton's Brewhouse theatre

Council leader Federica Smith-Roberts blamed problems with the council’s transformation programme for the lack of progress on the Brewhouse since her party came to power in May 2019.

She said: “We appreciate that it has taken us time to get to this point.

“We don’t have the funds available to build you a new building. We are continuing to provide a grant – that is one of the biggest grants we give out – and we will continue to have dialogue with you.

“We are going as fast we can.”