Good news for Derby Playhouse

Derby Playhouse is to reopen in September and several former staff could return to the theatre.

This week creditors accepted a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) proposed by Derby Playhouse Ltd with the support of the administrators.

The agreement, which secured the support of 90% of creditors, brings the theatre out of administration.

A new business plan enabled the theatre’s board to raise £300,000 against the lease and, with the CVA in place, plans to reopen the venue can continue with confidence.

The CVA will last for a year during which time the theatre will stage four in-house productions; the first of these is set to open on 16 September.

The theatre’s leadership has been committed to retaining the venue for Derby since it closed last November - reopening briefly to run its panto season - due to Derby City Council’s withdrawal of funds and the Arts Council’s decision to end its grant.

BECTU has had a keen interest in recent developments and has supported staff affected by the turmoil of recent months.

In July members previously employed at the venue won a tribunal claim with BECTU’s backing. The judgement established that staff were entitled to 90 days’ pay due to the employer’s failure to consult with them over their redundancy last November. The benefits of that judgement extend to 75 former staff.