Conservative MP candidate for the new Isle of Wight East constituency, Joe Robertson, has thrown his support behind proposals for a new Performing Arts Centre in Shanklin. The current building in Victoria Avenue housed Shanklin Library before it moved and is in a poor state of repair. The Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust, which owns the building, intends to submit a planning application for a new building and make a multi-million pound bid to the Arts Council to fund the work.
As part of his engagement with local communities since being selected as Conservative candidate, Joe attended the public consultation open day on 22nd September to see the plans on display and speak with the architect. The new proposed building would have a larger footprint, set over two floors, to include multi-purpose dance and rehearsal studios, a performing space with retractable seating for an audience of 106, a coffee shop, and a museum and heritage space to present and display the history of Shanklin.
Chairman of the Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust, Chris Quirk, said: “There is a range of different groups who are currently using the centre, such as keep fit classes, pilates, ballet, dance, and theatre groups from across the Island including youth intervention development for the Bay area. Unfortunately, the building is in a poor state of repair after many different uses over the years and would be very expensive to renovate properly. That is why we are in the process of preparing a multi-million pound bid for Arts Council Funding for a brand new building. We are pleased to have Joe Robertson’s backing and thank him for taking time to see the plans at our open day.”
After attending the open day Joe Robertson reflected, “The success of Shanklin and the Bay area is fundamental to the prosperity of the whole East Wight. Having visited the current building and seen the exciting plans I am 100 per cent behind the proposals for a new building and the bid to the Arts Council to help see the project realised. With new, larger spaces it would be a significant community asset and inspire creativity among a new generation of Islanders.”
The planning application is likely to be submitted by the end of this year with a decision in early 2024.
