THE FUTURE of Artrix will be discussed at tonight’s Bromsgrove District Council meeting after the Liberal Democrats tabled a motion to subsidise it.
As part of their alternative budget to the main Conservative financial plan, the Lib Dems have put together a costed rescue package.
The meeting takes place at 6pm at Parkside and is open to the public. With Artrix on the agenda, there could be quite a few in the public gallery.
The Lib Dems putting an extra 20p per month on the district council’s precept for the average council tax bill would raise enough funding to reinstate the £92,000 subsidy for the arts centre, adding ‘that would be enough to get the venue back on its feet’.
After our front page story last week, Standard readers have taken to social media in their droves to have their say on the future of the arts centre.
Jackie Kamara said: “We need Artrix to re open for film music etc, it’s so missed by many many local residents of Bromsgrove.”
Angela Power added: “Loved going to the Artrix. Please, please let us have it back. We are being starved of entertainment.”
Keith Hannis said: “We need music , back at Artrix. Brilliant evening out in a small venue.”
Graham Dallas added: “This should get cross party support. We need to keep at least ONE amenity after the Covid debacle.”
Julia Palmer said: “We need a theatre . Loved going to plays, music, shows . Miss it so much.”
Muriel Caddy said: “I loved the live gigs here.”
The view of a former Artrix employee
Christopher Lee, who worked at Artrix for 16 years, said he would like to see it reopen as the town and district needed it.
“The venue did work (a few financial issues but that was due to past issues) but the venue is viable.
“It could do with an extra 50 seats and some extra building expansion to its side by the patio and car park.
“Yes a new venue that is slightly larger and better positioned (middle of the town with a small number of cinema screens) would be my personal preference but the current site is very workable.
“The programme as founded by the original director Andy Woods was very balanced.
“From my current perspective of my current job I could get a full cinema programme up and running in months and as for live performances the studio was, pre-Covid, a workable space for small music and live performance (single hand/small group theatre).
“The main space could be easily brought back into use and getting comedy, dance and live music could be restarted in short order and open by Christmas and I’m sure A&S would return with the pantomime.
“Let’s get the only good thing in this town back open.”
The Standard has also been inundated with letters and will be running a double letters in this Friday’s print edition.
Conservative response to the Lib Dems
Deputy council leader Geoff Denaro said it was not clear why the Lib Dems thought £92,000 will enable Artrix to reopen.
He added the Artrix Holding Trustees had been working to determine the venue’s viability and when they next met would be advising of the next steps.
“I imagine once they have a viable business plan they will be approaching organisations for support with funding, which all arts venues must do.
“To date, they have not approached the council.”
The Artrix Holding Trust members are also due to meet tomorrow (Thursday) to map out the next plans for the building.
