A WAVE of opposition against proposals by Thurrock Council's ruling Conservative group to close the Thameside complex in Grays, and with it the much-loved Thameside Theatre, is growing.

The council's cabinet will next week discuss plans for the Thameside as part of a raft of cuts it wants to make to try and plug a £34 million deficit in its finances.

Within a day of its launch more than 1,000 residents had signed a n online petition calling for the plans to axe the Thameside to be dropped.

A statement on the petition's website says: "The complex is home to a multitude of arts and cultural entities, including the theatre, Creative Blast performing arts studios, Thurrock museum, Thames delta radio and the current Grays library. The building is also host to tenants not mentioned in the report such as Transvol and Thurrock lifestyle solutions, who work throughout the Borough promoting equal rights for the disabled as well as the Café at the front of the building.

"Talking newspapers also has weekly meetings here, bringing the news to those unable to read a newspaper.

"By closing the building and potentially losing the Theatre, we also lose local groups such as Thurrock Courts players and TOPS on stage who are frequent users of the theatre and the local scouts who perform their annual gang show on the stage, as well as many, many other groups performers and dance schools both local and out of the Borough."

You can read more – and sign the petition – via this link.

The cuts have been condemned by Cllr John Kent, leader of the opposition Labour group on the council, who says: "The Tories have completely lost control of the council's finances."

He described the cuts as 'absolutely brutal'.

The reasoning behind the council's plans to close the Thameside are put forward in a report to be presented by the council's regeneration portfolio holder Cllr Mark Coxshall.

He says: "Current running costs of the Thameside building itself – all services within have separate budgets – are in excess of £0.5m and estimated capital costs to refurbish the theatre and carry out all necessary repairs to the building are circa £16m.

"The library could move to the Civic Offices and it has already been agreed for the Registrars to relocate in Civic Office extension. Arts, culture and heritage have an important part to play in place shaping.

"They also have an important role in supporting economic growth. Over the course of the next few months officers will plan and reposition cultural services and in particular our approach to cultural regeneration to better support the Council's place ambitions.

"This will include reviewing current cultural services provision and assessing their overall social and economic contribution to regeneration in Thurrock. Working with partners the council will develop and agree a new shared vision and priorities to support cultural regeneration in Thurrock that is social, economic and physical over the long-term including exploring ways to maximise the power of culture and creativity to support the well-being of individuals and communities as part of an overall programme for economic growth that impacts positively on social change, tackles inequalities and promotes place shaping through creativity.

"The Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF) monies were used to put in place measures to prepare the theatre to meet social distancing requirements as well as cleaning and general maintenance.

"Part of the fund is supporting work to reach new audiences and offer cultural services in a different way including with the purchase of streaming equipment and the small grants programme supporting activity in communities through local arts and cultural events that help build strong and well-connected communities and promote the services the theatre team is able to offer in venues, open spaces and community settings across Thurrock.

"Over the course of the next 6 – 9 months officers will work with production companies, local groups, and borough wide facilities including valued community spaces and halls to promote arts and culture in venues across Thurrock.

"This will support the development of new cultural productions and events, including the use of the theatre's new streaming equipment and green screen to reach new audiences and support groups to maximise the benefit and impact of their work.

You can read Cllr Coxshall's full report, including details of other cuts to service and disposal of assets here.