Latest news with #PrinceofWalesTheatre
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Iconic town centre venue to close for good in days with jobs axed as boss issues emotional statement
The owner of the West Midlands site is gutted to see it go SHUTTING DOWN Iconic town centre venue to close for good in days with jobs axed as boss issues emotional statement Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ICONIC town centre venue will close in just a few days as its boss reveals an emotional announcement. The high street staple warned "there will be redundancies " after the shock statement was shared. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Prince of Wales Centre in Cannock, Staffordshire, announced its shock closure Credit: Alamy 2 Its final play will be shown at the end of this month Credit: Getty The Prince of Wales Theatre in Staffordshire, will be hosting its final show on April 29. Based in the heart of Cannock, the legendary venue showcased a range of performances from live music and theatre to cultural events. Richard Kay, manager at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock, said: "It's emotional. "In many cases and especially in my staff here, they are here for the environment and the joy rather than the money. "I think when you work in an environment like this, there is a real and genuine passion for theatre and entertainment that is shown by everyone." The beloved theatre was put at risk after the district council implemented measures to protect essential frontline services. However, despite the disappointing announcement, there are negotiations in the works to prevent the site from being scrapped. The Cannock Theatre Trust is being gifted £7,000 from a grant program in a bid to keep it open. A grant programme worth almost £75,000 was divvied up between 10 venues to receive a share of the cash. Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust said the organisation is "thrilled" to be supporting the creative venue. He said: "All the theatres on our Theatres at Risk Register are special buildings that have real potential to bring joy and opportunities to their communities. Car dealership abruptly closes after 60 years with customers' vehicles trapped inside as they find note on door "We are thrilled to support 10 of these fantastic theatres with essential strategic projects that will lay the foundations for their revival." Currently, The Prince of Wales Theatre is undergoing some construction and the treasurer is "very confident" that the theatre will reopen next year. For those keen to keep their theatre up and running shows should be back on in summer or autumn of 2026. Unfortunately for the entertainment industry, with rising prices and declining footfall, many sites are being forced to close. Both theatres and cinemas are in the cost of living crossfire, with many venues forced to hike ticket prices and risk a loss of business. TOUGH TIME FOR CINEMA CHAINS Last year Cineworld announced the closure of a handful of sites as part of a major restructuring plan to keep the company's head above water. In October, a judge gave the go-ahead for £16million to be injected into Cineworld's four companies which form the business. Cineworld has bolstered its financial position further by gaining access to additional funding, including £40 million in liquidity. Alongside this, the company is set to invest up to £35 million in capital expenditures, focusing on the refurbishment and enhancement of existing cinemas. This development follows a long period of trouble at Cineworld. Just last year, the business emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. Filing for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy means a company intends to reorganise its debts and assets while remaining in business. The company's shares plunged almost 99 per cent in the five years to 2023, as it was hit particularly hard by the pandemic and the enforced closure of its cinema sites. Shortly after, Cineworld's UK arm collapsed into administration on July 31 lat year. The cinema chain was de-listed from the London Stock Exchange a day later.
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Iconic town centre venue to close for good in days with jobs axed as boss issues emotional statement
AN ICONIC town centre venue will close in just a few days as its boss reveals an emotional announcement. The high street staple warned "there will be redundancies " after the shock statement was shared. 2 2 The Prince of Wales Theatre in Staffordshire, will be hosting its final show on April 29. Based in the heart of Cannock, the legendary venue showcased a range of performances from live music and theatre to cultural events. Richard Kay, manager at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock, said: "It's emotional. "In many cases and especially in my staff here, they are here for the environment and the joy rather than the money. "I think when you work in an environment like this, there is a real and genuine passion for theatre and entertainment that is shown by everyone." The beloved theatre was put at risk after the district council implemented measures to protect essential frontline services. However, despite the disappointing announcement, there are negotiations in the works to prevent the site from being scrapped. The Cannock Theatre Trust is being gifted £7,000 from a grant program in a bid to keep it open. A grant programme worth almost £75,000 was divvied up between 10 venues to receive a share of the cash. Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust said the organisation is "thrilled" to be supporting the creative venue. He said: "All the theatres on our Theatres at Risk Register are special buildings that have real potential to bring joy and opportunities to their communities. Car dealership abruptly closes after 60 years with customers' vehicles trapped inside as they find note on door "We are thrilled to support 10 of these fantastic theatres with essential strategic projects that will lay the foundations for their revival." Currently, The Prince of Wales Theatre is undergoing some construction and the treasurer is "very confident" that the theatre will reopen next year. For those keen to keep their theatre up and running shows should be back on in summer or autumn of 2026. Unfortunately for the entertainment industry, with rising prices and declining footfall, many sites are being forced to close. Both theatres and cinemas are in the cost of living crossfire, with many venues forced to hike ticket prices and risk a loss of business. TOUGH TIME FOR CINEMA CHAINS Last year Cineworld announced the closure of a handful of sites as part of a major restructuring plan to keep the company's head above water. In October, a judge gave the go-ahead for £16million to be injected into Cineworld 's four companies which form the business. Cineworld has bolstered its financial position further by gaining access to additional funding, including £40 million in liquidity. Alongside this, the company is set to invest up to £35 million in capital expenditures, focusing on the refurbishment and enhancement of existing cinemas. This development follows a long period of trouble at Cineworld. Just last year, the business emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. Filing for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy means a company intends to reorganise its debts and assets while remaining in business. The company's shares plunged almost 99 per cent in the five years to 2023, as it was hit particularly hard by the pandemic and the enforced closure of its cinema sites. Shortly after, Cineworld's UK arm collapsed into administration on July 31 lat year. The cinema chain was de-listed from the London Stock Exchange a day later.
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Iconic town centre venue to close for good in days with jobs axed as boss issues emotional statement
AN ICONIC town centre venue will close in just a few days as its boss reveals an emotional announcement. The high street staple warned "there will be redundancies " after the shock statement was shared. Advertisement 2 The Prince of Wales Centre in Cannock, Staffordshire, announced its shock closure Credit: Alamy 2 Its final play will be shown at the end of this month Credit: Getty The Prince of Wales Theatre in Staffordshire, will be hosting its final show on April 29. Based in the heart of Cannock, the legendary venue showcased a range of performances from live music and theatre to cultural events. Richard Kay, manager at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock , said: "It's emotional. " In many cases and especially in my staff here, they are here for the environment and the joy rather than the money. Advertisement "I think when you work in an environment like this, there is a real and genuine passion for theatre and entertainment that is shown by everyone." The beloved theatre was put at risk after the district council implemented measures to protect essential frontline services. However, despite the disappointing announcement, there are negotiations in the works to prevent the site from being scrapped. The Cannock Theatre Trust is being gifted £7,000 from a grant program in a bid to keep it open. Advertisement Most read in Uncategorized A grant programme worth almost £75,000 was divvied up between 10 venues to receive a share of the cash. Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust said the organisation is "thrilled" to be supporting the creative venue. He said: "All the theatres on our Theatres at Risk Register are special buildings that have real potential to bring joy and opportunities to their communities. Car dealership abruptly closes after 60 years with customers' vehicles trapped inside as they find note on door "We are thrilled to support 10 of these fantastic theatres with essential strategic projects that will lay the foundations for their revival." Advertisement Currently, The Prince of Wales Theatre is undergoing some construction and the treasurer is "very confident" that the theatre will reopen next year. For those keen to keep their theatre up and running shows should be back on in summer or autumn of 2026. Unfortunately for the entertainment industry, with rising prices and declining footfall, many sites are being forced to close. Both theatres and cinemas are in the cost of living crossfire, with many venues forced to hike ticket prices and risk a loss of business. Advertisement TOUGH TIME FOR CINEMA CHAINS Last year Cineworld announced the closure of a handful of sites as part of a major restructuring plan to keep the company's head above water. In October, a judge gave the go-ahead for £16million to be injected into Cineworld's four companies which form the business. Cineworld has bolstered its financial position further by gaining access to additional funding, including £40 million in liquidity. Alongside this, the company is set to invest up to £35 million in capital expenditures, focusing on the refurbishment and enhancement of existing cinemas. Advertisement This development follows a long period of trouble at Cineworld. Just last year, the business emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. Filing for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy means a company intends to reorganise its debts and assets while remaining in business. The company's shares plunged almost 99 per cent in the five years to 2023, as it was hit particularly hard by the pandemic and the enforced closure of its cinema sites. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Shortly after, Cineworld's UK arm collapsed into administration on July 31 lat year. The cinema chain was de-listed from the London Stock Exchange a day later.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Theatre and museum set to close in budget plans
Councillors have agreed a budget that could lead to the permanent closure of a theatre and museum in Staffordshire. Cannock's Prince of Wales Theatre and the Museum of Cannock Chase are set to close from the end of April. However, talks are continuing with other groups in an attempt to keep the venues open. The closures form part of Cannock Chase Council's attempt to close a £1.3m budget shortfall for the next financial year. The theatre was set to be refurbished as part of the ambitious town centre regeneration project being part-funded by a £20m Government Levelling Up grant. And council leader Tony Johnson said keeping the Museum of Cannock Chase open at its current location had been one of the administration's priorities when he when he took on the leadership of the authority in 2023. He added: "We are working with local groups, supporting them to take up the running of the facilities, so they can continue to be run by local people for local people, even if the council's financial support has to be reduced." The decision also comes against the backdrop of the government pressing for district authorities like Cannock Chase to merge with neighbouring and county councils into unitary bodies. Johnson said its settlement from the government had been "less than generous". A member of the public asked what plans were in place for artefacts in the museum, to which the councillor said a detailed plan for decommissioning would be prepared. He added: "Provision has been included in the budget for such work and the digitalisation of the collection. "We do not have current details of the ownership of the artefacts, but this will form part of the transition". The council was also asked what would happen to unused funds and grants awarded to the museum, to which Mr Johnson said it was working with funding partners to identify any requirements for returning monies. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Museum and theatre closure in cost-cutting plan Cannock Chase Council Budget
BBC News
13-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Theatre and museum set to close in Cannock budget plans
Councillors have agreed a budget that could lead to the permanent closure of a theatre and museum in Prince of Wales Theatre and the Museum of Cannock Chase are set to close from the end of April. However, talks are continuing with other groups in an attempt to keep the venues open. The closures form part of Cannock Chase Council's attempt to close a £1.3m budget shortfall for the next financial year. The theatre was set to be refurbished as part of the ambitious town centre regeneration project being part-funded by a £20m Government Levelling Up grant. And council leader Tony Johnson said keeping the Museum of Cannock Chase open at its current location had been one of the administration's priorities when he when he took on the leadership of the authority in added: "We are working with local groups, supporting them to take up the running of the facilities, so they can continue to be run by local people for local people, even if the council's financial support has to be reduced."The decision also comes against the backdrop of the government pressing for district authorities like Cannock Chase to merge with neighbouring and county councils into unitary bodies. Johnson said its settlement from the government had been "less than generous". Decommissioning plans A member of the public asked what plans were in place for artefacts in the museum, to which the councillor said a detailed plan for decommissioning would be prepared. He added: "Provision has been included in the budget for such work and the digitalisation of the collection."We do not have current details of the ownership of the artefacts, but this will form part of the transition".The council was also asked what would happen to unused funds and grants awarded to the museum, to which Mr Johnson said it was working with funding partners to identify any requirements for returning monies. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
