Towngate Theatre’s bar shut for six-week refurbishment (From Echo)
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Towngate Theatre’s bar shut for six-week refurbishment
7:00am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Basildon By Emma Palmer
WORK to create a plush new bar at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon gets under way on Monday.
The £100,000 project will see the existing Cafe Scene area of the theatre, in St Martin’s Square, completely overhauled and transformed into a cosy area for diners and theatre goers.
Once complete, the venue will have more seating space and will cater for weekday customers looking for a coffee and a bite to eat, before transforming into a elegant bar after-hours.
Building work is expected to take six weeks.
During that time the Cafe Scene venue will be closed, although a limited service will be on offer in the foyer for theatre audiences.
Kevin Blake, Basildon councillor responsible for leisure, said: “One of the areas highlighted in the theatre’s ambitious business plan as being in need of investment is the catering facility.
“When reopened, we will be offering a varied food menu during the day, as well as a good bar service during shows.
“I believe the new facilities will go a long way to encouraging more people into the theatre.
“This is all about creating a top-class events venue, offering value for money for the local community.
“It is the first part of major investment within the Towngate over the coming years.”
The theatre’s fortunes have dramatically changed since Basildon Council took over the running of the venue in 2006.
Where once it stood empty and gathered dust for eight years, it now hosts big-name acts and has produced a hugely successful pantomime for the past four years.
For more details about the theatre’s business plan and the work visit www.towngatetheate.co.uk
Comments(6)
geezer, innit
says...
9:58am Sat 4 Feb 12
You hardly ever see anyone in the revamped Cafe Scene bar.
Bring back the days of 'The Broken Scroll Co' and the 'rhinos, winos and lunatics' that used to drink there!
southendshrimper
says...
11:57am Sat 4 Feb 12
geezer, innit
says...
12:14pm Sat 4 Feb 12
southendshrimper wrote:Yes, it was shut for a considerable period and re-opened sporadically for third rate acts to ply their trade there as well as the panto at christmas. It's never really been a success as a theatre thanks to alleged drawbacks in it's design.
I was led to belive towngate theater was not popular? Didn't it close for a while not so long ago?
Shame really as it cost a flipping fortune to build, but what else can one expect from a bunch of inadequates like Basildon Council.
dquinn
says...
9:08am Mon 6 Feb 12
Would be nice to see local people showing a bit of support for what is an excellent local facility rather than just being negative because they have a beef with the council!!!
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
9:40am Mon 6 Feb 12
There was plenty ofd support for the place in that respect and also wehn local bands were given the chance to play gigs there in the small downstairs area to one side of the main auditorium.
Unfortunately this too didn't fit in with the 'vision' of the management who it seems were expecting the place to be habituated by bow tied, tails wearing gents and their besequinned ball gown wearing paramours all out to for a night of intellectual entertainent from the like of Jethro and the chepaer, seedier version of the Chippendales....
says...