Council create 'a clean and welcoming' entry to Thameside Complex. Leader talks of 'civic' pride but memories of borough Pride festivals are painted over in monosyllabic gray

THURROCK Council has begun work on its project to improve the Thameside Complex - and confirmed that the theatre within it is now booking acts until March 2028.

The long term future of the Thameside Complex, and the 300 seat community theatre, has been in doubt for several years, since the Conservative-ran authority announced plans to close it in June 2021.

That decision, ratified at a cabinet meeting in July 2021, sparked the launch of a widespready community campaign to oppose the closure.

Years of debate and changes of direction have followed. At one point it seemed likely a community interest community would be created to take over the running and maintenance of the building - but that fell apart when the council acknowledged interest in a commercially-led approach by a London College Trust to take it over.

Neither scheme has materialised and after the Conservatives were ousted in 2024, Labour promised a more supportive approach to the complex and theatre - but the general view has been that the issue has simply been 'kicked into the long grass' so no-one has to make a controversial decision before the planned union of Thurrock and Basildon Council, planned for 2028.

Basildon has a much larger, two auditorium theatre building, The Towngate, which many expect to become the new south Essex council's arts focal point after local goivernment reorganisation.

The 'Rainbow pavement' has been painted over.

Earlier this week Thurrock Council announced it would be extending bookings at the theatre until 2028. Today (Thursday, 6 August) , it made an additional annoucementt, saying: "Work is underway to create a nicer, cleaner, less cluttered and more welcoming entrance to the Thameside Complex" - and the work carried bout so far has seen the painting over of the Rainbow pavement outside the complex and other LGBTQ+ Pride memorabilia marking the 2024 inaugural Thurrock Pride Festival, which has remained in place over the following two years of staging the event at the Thameside.

The council added: "Initial work has seen the entranceway tidied up by removing cluttered signage and advertisements, clearing and maintaining planted areas, and ensuring the building's lobby is clean and welcoming.

"This is the first stage of wider improvements planned for the Thameside Complex to ensure residents have good access to the building and the services it houses, including the library, theatre and museum."

Reform's council leader Cllr Richard Bingley, who earlier this year enforced a ban on flying the Pride flag on civic buildings, said: "The Thameside Theatre is the cultural heart of the borough and something we are rightly proud of. These improvements are part of work taking place to restore civic pride in the borough, there will be much more to come.

"We want to make sure the Thameside is a friendly and welcoming place for theatregoers, museum visitors and library users.

"The team has already done a fantastic job, and this is only the beginning. Residents will see more and more improvements like this across the borough as we lead the way, making Thurrock a place we can all be proud of."

The action by the council has already prompted diverse opinions on social media, with the authority being criticised for a lack of consultation, removing the vibrancy and colour of the theatre's welcome and removing noticeboards that gave information on forthcoming events.

Torie Grayling, one of the stalwarts being regular theatre users Thurrock Courts Players, said: "The adverts for what's on are always handy though", a comment echoed by Grays resident Jo Nicholls who added: "Those boards were visible to passing traffic waiting at the crossing. There was no community consultation on this, so much for residents' views.

"It used to be as vibrant, colourful, fun and creative as the activities showcased inside. Now it's just another corporate building. Far from community focussed changes."

Chloe Anderson, who recently contested the Grays Riverside ward for The Green Party (losing out by just 17 point to Reform - whose winning candidate Joe Soper quit within days), said: "Gutted that you've painted over the rainbow! What could be more welcoming than bright colours and celebrating people?"

Former Labour councillor Cathy Sisterson chipped in, saying: "More welcoming to whom? It's just dull now."

Labour councillor and group leader Cllr Aaron Green agreed, saying: "Spot on who said it wasn't welcoming, who said the adverts and signs were clutter? It may have been useful to someone."

Resident Chloe Anderson said: "Gutted that you've painted over the rainbow! What could be more welcoming than bright colours and celebrating people?"

Reform's Cllr George Monk, cabinet member for deregulation, efficiency and civic pride, defended the council's action and rebutted criticsm that it has published news of the change 'begging for praise', saying: "At last something is being done. We're not begging for praise, we are informing you that the theatre is open for business."

There's been plenty of comment - for and against - the council's actions.

He found support from London-based Amy Martin Bingley, sister of council leader Cllr Richard Bingley - whose father Randall was employed at the musum - who said: "George is correct. Nobody is begging for praise, they are just pointing out improvements which have been made and the civil response is to be grateful that time and energy is being spent on improving civic pride, rather than picking holes in it and changing the narrative direction with a host of non-sequiturs.

"It's lovely to see the building clean and tidy again. I spent many happy hours there as a child, where my father worked as the museum curator. Thank you to Thurrock Council for doing this. Museums, theatres and libraries are integral to the cultural fabric of our borough and keeping their entrance ways, clean, tidy and accessible ensures they are welcoming to all."

And another resident, Lisa Barner, was a clear supporter of reform's actions, saying: "About time and it should never have been painted rainbow in the first place."