Cannock Museum and Theatre to close as council encourages local groups to take them on

Cannock's museum and theatre are set to close as part of cost-cutting measures approved by the council.

Cannock Chase Council previously said it wanted to close the Prince of Wales Theatre, along with the Museum of Cannock Chase, in a bid to "safeguard funds for other services".

Following a meeting on Wednesday 12 February, a campaigner told ITV News Central: ''Unfortunately, the council are still on for closing both the Museum and Theatre. However, they are encouraging local community groups to take it on.

"However, people are needed to come forward with business proposals for both of these much loved venues. The Green Party and Conservative Party put forward an alternative budget which was voted against.''

"Good news in the doom and gloom"

Councillor Tony Johnson said the council had been speaking to Alex Norris, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government, regarding the district council’s plans to regenerate Cannock Town Centre.

He said: “We discussed the Levelling Up bid and the Government are happy with what we are proposing and encouraging Civil Servants to give us support - and have told us they don’t want any money back.

"And the minister is even amenable to some of the Levelling Up Fund money being used for the theatre. So, there is some good news in the doom and gloom.”He told the council they were having positive talks with local groups interested in taking over the running of the facilities and would be providing expert support for them to prepare a sound business plan.

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