THE regeneration of Newton Abbot town centre will include a space for theatre, musical performances dance and comedy – but it would not be financially viable for a specific community arts theatre site.

The proposals for the major redevelopment of the Market Hall, Market Square and the old Alexandra Cinema area will include a new eating quarter, a new cinema, a remodelled entertainment and events venue and a high quality market space.

But the current Alexandra Cinema is set to be converted into a bar/restaurant and events venue with a ‘flexible multi-use entertainments space’ provided, leaving no dedicated space specifically for live theatre and the arts.

The Friends of the Alexandra Theatre asked questions over the proposed redevelopment of the site as part of the submission to the Future High Street Fund at Tuesday’s Teignbridge District Council meeting, and asked to what extent is there any option to amend such plans and would the council be willing and able to prepare a monetary target that an independent group could take over the theatre and run as a Community Hub Arts Theatre

But Cllr Nina Jeffries, Portfolio Holder for Business, Economy & Tourism, said it would be difficult to fund a small theatre and ensure its future without large subsidies, and that there will be space, including theatre in the round, musical performances dance and comedy, further supported by a place for the community to shop, eat, drink and socialise.

In her response to the questions, she added: ‘The Alexandra and Market Hall buildings will remain and internal reconfiguration made to increase and extend the use as part of the evolving Market and Cultural Quarter offer within the town, and the cinema will, of course, be relocated to a new, fit for purpose, high tech cinema offer close by.

‘In the current financial climate, theatres around the country are struggling now, more than ever to remain open.

‘We need to be realistic that funding a community hub without a guarantee of income would be extremely difficult, threaten the longer term future of both the Alexandra and Market Hall buildings.

‘The FHSF Team at Teignbridge were responsible for the new Pavilions in Teignmouth. For some in the town, losing the old Carlton Theatre was a blow, however, Pavilions is now a much loved, hugely successful space enjoyed by thousands over the years.

‘During the planning for Pavilions, team members visited many small theatres around the West Country and know first-hand just how difficult it is to fund a small theatre and ensure the future of such buildings without large subsidies.

‘The social and economic benefits of the plans form a key part of a comprehensive package of proposals across the town as part of the business case which has been developed for the Future High Street Funding.

‘The improvements extend to include greenery and seating within Market Square and the ability to host various events, live entertainment and performances from the Square, into the Alexandra and Market Hall buildings.

‘Alongside the new cinema and Market Walk we are providing a destination for the wider area, helping to secure the town’s future.

‘We want to provide a showcase for the many local artists in and around Newton Abbot. There will be space including theatre in the round, musical performances dance and comedy, further supported by a place for the community to shop, eat, drink and socialise.

‘Newton Abbot prides itself on being an historic market town, dating back almost 800 years but it needs to adapt.

‘The development of a Markets Quarter alongside the evolving Culture Quarter within the town will help strengthen the town for the future and we would look forward to working with representatives from FoTAT, to ensure the entertainment space works well for all.’

The Newton Abbot bid for the Future High Streets Fund is made up of four component parts that are interlinked to create a whole package with the total bid application worth in the region of £10 to £11 million and, if successful, the schemes will go before full council for final approval later in the year.

It includes pedestrian and cycling improvements for better links to shopping facilities, increased parking at Cricketfield car park, and a new cinema built on the site of the existing New Look store, with the current Alexandra cinema converted into a bar/restaurant and events venue, and the reduction of the dominance of the car in Queen Street, as well as redevelopment of the Market Hall, Market Square and the old Alexandra Cinema area will include a new eating quarter, a new cinema, a remodelled entertainment and events venue and a high quality market space.

The outcome of the bid is expected to be announced in the Autumn.