Latest news with #JaneRiley
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ipswich Regent Theatre shuts as £3.5m renovation begins
The curtains at a historical Suffolk arts venue will be pulled shut for seven months today so a multi-million pound restoration can be carried Regent Theatre, which has been an entertainment staple in the town since the 1920s, will be closed until 12 December as part of a £3.5m redevelopment changes will see a single-storey extension built at the rear of the venue, a "wall of fame" mural created at the entrance, and the toilets St Helen's Street theatre, which is the largest in the East of England, will also boast larger bar areas, while disabled access will also be improved and modified. Jane Riley, in charge of culture at Ipswich Borough Council, said: "It's going to make the whole space so much nicer and I personally am looking forward to it."One common complaint is there nowhere to sit, as there is limited seating now, but where the ladies toilets are currently, that will all become bar space and seats. "It will be a much more comfortable experience and people will notice that immediately." The proposal for the new-look auditorium was approved by Ipswich Borough Council's planning department in part of the scheme, the existing canopy will be refurbished and illuminated lettering will be installed at the theatre's Crush Hall and Circle Lounge bars will also be modernised, the council said, and the toilet facilities final performance before the closure took place on Saturday, with Give A Little Love singer Daniel O'Donnell taking to the stage. The first show after reopening is due to be the Cinderella Christmas pantomime, running from 12 to 31 December which also includes two adult performances on the 29 and 30 of the shows that would have been staged at the venue will instead take place at the nearby Corn Exchange. "It's a popular venue and it's always a shame to have to close a building but now is the time to do it as the summer is actually a relatively quiet period," added Ms Riley. "[But once the revamp is complete], it will look and feel a lot nicer to use and will help the experience." 'Looking forward' Keen theatre-goer Tracey Pearson has watched 102 shows at the Regent in the last 10 years and says she was "very excited" about the currently has one show booked at the nearby Corn Exchange "to fill the gap", but has already booked three events to attend once the theatre reopens. "We are very much excited and looking forward to returning," she told the BBC."My mum is in a wheelchair and if she has to get up to let people past the staff tell the people to give her time to get up from her seat - they are very welcoming and friendly. "The prices are good and there is something for everyone."The Grade II listed art deco theatre opened in 1929 and offered cinema viewings until the mid-1980s before being bought by the council in 1991. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers of larger cars could pay more for permits
Plans to charge the drivers of larger cars more for on-street parking permits have been backed by council leaders. Executive members of Ipswich Borough Council met on Tuesday to discuss the move, proposed by Labour's Jane Riley, the authority's lead for culture and customers. She said the change was needed because of the limited number of on-street parking spaces and the increase in traffic. But the leader of the opposition, Ian Fisher, a Conservative councillor, criticised the plans - and the categories which could be used to decide whether cars are large or medium-sized. Riley proposed raising charges for on-street parking permits across the borough's five street parking zones, already set to gradually increase over the next four years, based on a car's length, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It would mean residents who owned a car considered medium-sized by the council, or between 3.92m (12.8ft) and 4.45m (14.7ft), would pay £78 for the year instead of £62. Owners of larger cars, between 4.45m (14.7ft) and 6m (19.6ft), would pay £98 for the year. Cars over 6m (19.6ft) would not be allowed a permit. Separate prices have been drawn up for trade, visitors, business, carers, and places of worship permits, but all with similar increases. Blue badge holders would remain exempt. Fisher said it was "ridiculous" to consider some cars as medium-sized including, for instance, a Ford Fiesta. He said it was simply a "callous attempt to raise more income" as the council estimated it would generate £32,841 in extra funds. By law, the council is not allowed to deliberately make a surplus with on-street parking permits. If extra money was made, it would need to be reinvested. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Why is a council charging £15 for match parking? Parking permit fee hike approved by councillors Council to make cuts to try and balance books Ipswich Borough Council
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Drivers of larger cars in Ipswich could pay more for permits
Plans to charge the drivers of larger cars more for on-street parking permits have been backed by council members of Ipswich Borough Council met on Tuesday to discuss the move, proposed by Labour's Jane Riley, the authority's lead for culture and said the change was needed because of the limited number of on-street parking spaces and the increase in the leader of the opposition, Ian Fisher, a Conservative councillor, criticised the plans - and the categories which could be used to decide whether cars are large or medium-sized. Riley proposed raising charges for on-street parking permits across the borough's five street parking zones, already set to gradually increase over the next four years, based on a car's length, reports the Local Democracy Reporting would mean residents who owned a car considered medium-sized by the council, or between 3.92m (12.8ft) and 4.45m (14.7ft), would pay £78 for the year instead of £ of larger cars, between 4.45m (14.7ft) and 6m (19.6ft), would pay £98 for the year. Cars over 6m (19.6ft) would not be allowed a prices have been drawn up for trade, visitors, business, carers, and places of worship permits, but all with similar badge holders would remain said it was "ridiculous" to consider some cars as medium-sized including, for instance, a Ford said it was simply a "callous attempt to raise more income" as the council estimated it would generate £32,841 in extra law, the council is not allowed to deliberately make a surplus with on-street parking permits. If extra money was made, it would need to be reinvested. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
