House of Lords Select Committee on Regenerating Seaside Towns
Theatres Trust has submitted written evidence to the committee highlighting the role we believe theatres can play in thriving seaside towns.
Seaside towns were once hubs of culture that would run busy summer seasons packed with theatre, variety and music. In many such places the theatre buildings from this era still exist. Some continue to be active community venues while others have been left to decay – 15 of the 35 theatres on our Theatres at Risk register are in coastal communities.
Theatres Trust identifies that there is opportunity to restore and repurpose these theatre buildings as year round cultural hubs to serve their local communities and drive regeneration.
Our written response includes:
- Common challenges faced by seaside towns
- Economic benefits of theatres in coastal communities
- Financial measures to support culture-led regeneration of seaside towns
- Role of local authorities
Photo shows Cromer Pier, one of the five remaining pier theatres still in use. Photo by Douglas Atfield