Troubles persist for Derby Playhouse

This week the Derby Playhouse has been dealt a further blow to its chances of survival.

On 25 February a meeting of creditors organised by the administrators, Tenon Recovery, voted to place the theatre into liquidation.

The Arts Council of England (ACE), the largest creditor, used it powers to force liquidation on the venue by insisting on the repayment of grants, part of which were sourced from the National Lottery.

An alternative proposal supported by several smaller creditors would have allowed the theatre to continue in administration, allowing time for further rescue efforts with the promise of a better return for all creditors. This proposal was defeated at the creditors’ meeting due to the ACE’s larger financial interests.

The move is a major setback for those groups keen to see the venue survive but there is every prospect that the campaign to save the theatre will continue. The Playhouse board, led by Professor Jonathan Powers, is keen to investigate the Arts Council’s role in creating the venue’s current difficulties.

The Playhouse was one of several venues whose funding was withdrawn in the ACE’s latest controversial funding review. Despite this, the ACE has awarded Derby City Council £3m for theatre in Derby. The Council but has yet to declare its plans for how that money will be spent.

More than 60 staff were made redundant last November when the Council withdrew essential finances and put at risk the Christmas programme. Emergency measures allowed that programme to be staged but the theatre closed its doors again on 2 February.

BECTU is providing legal support to several members who are pursuing claims against their former employer.