New Space and Theatre Stage for Witney Performers

A NEW £15,000 stage will be built at Witney’s Langdale Hall as the town’s Corn Exchange remains shut.

Witney Town Council closed the Corn Exchange, in Market Square, in November after a report showed it had major problems with fire escapes, stonework, heating and electrics.

The council hopes to fix and re-open the building but a total cost for the project and an opening date have not yet been established.

It was previously suggested that the revamp could cost up to £1.5m and take up to 18 months.

The council’s public halls committee has now agreed to spend £15,333 on an adjustable and bespoke stage and wing and tiered seating for Langdale Hall.

Witney theatre groups have had no public theatre space since the Corn Exchange closed and have been performing in school halls.

Witney Dramatic Society’s Virginia Bushell said: “We would very much like to support this. It is proving very difficult for us to find alternative facilities.”

Source:

Witney Gazette

Tom Jennings

March 2012