COUNCIL chiefs are to be recommended to borrow £1.2 million over the next two years to refurbish and upgrade Warrington’s premier concert venue – the Parr Hall.
The scheme will involve the loss to the town of the historic Cavaille-Coll organ but result in improvements likely to enable the hall to attract more high-profile artists.
But it represents a major climb down from the £6.8 million scheme put forward two years ago to bring the 113-year-old hall up to present day standards.
Moving the organ – one of only two in the country made by the mast French organ builder Aristide Cavaille-Coll – is considered essential to improving the hall’s technical capability.
In the past, the cost of dismantling the instrument and transporting it to another location has provided a obstacle. But agreement has been reached with Sheffield Cathedral.
Talks have been going on for some time on the future of the hall.
In August there was a public consultation session at the hall when ideas were sought about the type of performances people would like to see, community involvement and funding opportunities.
The proposals of two years ago would have resulted in a “proper theatre” with first class back-stage facilities, new seating and modern lighting and electrical systems.
Main difficulty was that the council did not have the money and would be looking for private sector partners to help with the refurbishment. But it is now considered that private sector involvement is unlikely to be forthcoming.
In recent years, the Parr Hall has had difficulty attracting top flight artists, mainly because of its dated backstage facilities.
It improved its operating performance last year but still runs at a loss of £270,000 a year.
Some Warrington groups – including the award-winning Centenary Theatre Company – have ceased to use the hall, preferring to travel to Runcorn’s Brindley Theatre.
Two million people live within a half-hour drive of the Parr Hall – giving it a huge potential market.
Pictured…an artist’s impression of what the re-vamped Parr Hall might have looked like if the £6 million scheme had gone ahead.
£1.2 million loan for Parr Hall
00 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
