Local MP Robbie Moore has called for the return of tiered seating at Victoria Hall in Keighley after raising the case with the Chief Executive of Bradford Council, Kersten England.
The request comes after concerns were raised by local community arts groups, who say the loss of tiered seating at the popular venue has led to Victoria Hall becoming a much less attractive option to hold theatre events, including plays, drama and dance shows to paying audiences, putting local professional and amateur dramatic groups under pressure.
The Keighley Musical Theatre Company, a not-for-profit community organisation which has been active in Keighley since 1913 - only breaking briefly for two world wars and Covid - say they are at financial risk if they continue to use the Victoria Hall due to around 100 fewer seats being available per performance at the venue,
And concerns have been raised that the audience satisfaction level is far less due to audience seating being on a single level, leaving some theatre-goers unable to watch. Other groups in the community also say they are also put off from booking the Victoria Hall and look elsewhere to venues that have tiered seating.
Bradford Council were forced to close the previous tiered seating plan at Victoria Hall after safety concerns were raised - But despite promising replacement seating in 2020, staff and arts groups at Victoria Hall say they are still awaiting a decision.
After meetings with Kersten England, Mr Moore says that a funding application is now being considered.
The MP is urging Council leaders to sign off on the funding urgently so that local arts groups can use the venue once again for maximum impact.
The MP says he has has also stressed to Bradford Council that with City of Culture 2025 approaching, it is vitally important that the whole of the District reaps the rewards, and that capital investment into Victoria Hall for renewing the tiered seating should not be forgotten.
Robbie Moore MP said:
“Following my lobbying to Bradford Council, including meetings with the Chief Executive, Kersten England, I am pleased to hear that a funding application to finally get tiered seating safely back at Victoria Hall is being considered, with a final decision to be made later in August.
Following the loss of the tiered seating at Victoria Hall some time ago, local drama groups have been struggling to get any reassurance from Bradford Council that the seating would be replaced, despite previous promises being made. This has had a negative impact on audience numbers, audience experience and led to some drama and arts groups looking outside of Keighley to hold their performances.
It is vitally important that Keighley maintains a good venue for the performing arts, and I therefore thank Kersten for her time on this issue and for listening to our concerns. My message is clear: If the Council is indeed serious about celebrating City of Culture 2025 across our entire District, then our local arts, drama and dance groups should have the same performance space opportunities as other parts of the District.
With the autumn and winter performances fast approaching, I urge the Council to support ALL parts of our District and sign off on this funding as soon as possible and get the renewal work underway."
