Theatre Royal and Empire Theatre Purchase, 1969
Title
Theatre Royal and Empire Theatre Purchase, 1969
Date
24 April 1969
Description
A report by the City Council regarding the purchase of the Theatre Royal and the Empire.
What's the story?
In 1968, the survival of the Theatre Royal and the idea of the Royal Concert Hall were not in the City Council plans for Nottingham’s future.
The purchase came about indirectly, as part of the Theatre Square Gyratory Traffic System development. The loan for this only covered part purchase of both the Theatre Royal and the Empire Theatre, which had closed in 1958.
Fortunately, Bentray Investments Ltd (part of the same group as Moss Empires Ltd) offered to sell all of both theatres to the council, and lease back the Theatre Royal. The council paid £300,00 for both theatres and two shops, with the condition that they would make the structural alterations required by the street widening. That year a box office foyer, stalls bar and offices were added. The Empire Theatre was demolished for the road scheme.
The Theatre Royal still desperately needed extensive refurbishment. 1970s Britain had slow economic growth, severe inflation and rising unemployment. Against this background, the vision of Labour councillors John Carroll and Len Maynard lay with developing a Festival Hall Complex (an idea evolved out of the Nottingham Festivals). This included the highly controversial demolition of the County Hotel, so that suitable facilities could be built for touring companies. Alternative proposals included a Civic Centre, or putting the money into an Indoor Bowls Centre instead. Further delays came with a change in council control from Labour to Conservative (who opposed the plans), and back again.
Despite these numerous challenges, the Theatre Royal renovation was completed in 1977, at a cost of £3.3 million, and the Royal Concert Hall opened in November 1982. Who could imagine the city of Nottingham without them today?
The purchase came about indirectly, as part of the Theatre Square Gyratory Traffic System development. The loan for this only covered part purchase of both the Theatre Royal and the Empire Theatre, which had closed in 1958.
Fortunately, Bentray Investments Ltd (part of the same group as Moss Empires Ltd) offered to sell all of both theatres to the council, and lease back the Theatre Royal. The council paid £300,00 for both theatres and two shops, with the condition that they would make the structural alterations required by the street widening. That year a box office foyer, stalls bar and offices were added. The Empire Theatre was demolished for the road scheme.
The Theatre Royal still desperately needed extensive refurbishment. 1970s Britain had slow economic growth, severe inflation and rising unemployment. Against this background, the vision of Labour councillors John Carroll and Len Maynard lay with developing a Festival Hall Complex (an idea evolved out of the Nottingham Festivals). This included the highly controversial demolition of the County Hotel, so that suitable facilities could be built for touring companies. Alternative proposals included a Civic Centre, or putting the money into an Indoor Bowls Centre instead. Further delays came with a change in council control from Labour to Conservative (who opposed the plans), and back again.
Despite these numerous challenges, the Theatre Royal renovation was completed in 1977, at a cost of £3.3 million, and the Royal Concert Hall opened in November 1982. Who could imagine the city of Nottingham without them today?
Type
Report
Location of item
Nottingham Central Library, Local Studies
Rights
TBC
Contributor
Sarah Bird
Format
Local Government Pamphlet
