Local paper (Scarborough Evening News)today reports:–
From Scarborough Evening News 21/07/2006
[i]People power saves theatre
A THEATRE will remain on the Futurist site on Scarborough’s seafront, council documents have revealed.
This change of thinking by the council follows protests by more than 1,350 readers who responded to a Scarborough Evening News campaign.
The venue has been threatened with closure and demolition for more than four years since Scarborough Council announced plans to sell off the theatre and surrounding site for redevelopment.
The council had said nothing in recent years in support of the long-term future of the Futurist, and was silent on a consultant’s report that backed the retention of the theatre as an option.
This led to the Evening News campaign last November to defend it, and many letters in response by readers.
Scarborough’s Renaissance team gave support to the campaign. It was also brought to the attention of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, which will influence the type and scale of development on the site.
In acknowledging the strength of feeling of Scarborough people over the Futurist, and the work of Barrie Stead in operating the theatre since 2002, the report states:
“The main benefit of the refurbishment scheme is that it would respond to community wishes.
“In recent years, it has been managed successfully with a relatively small management cost to the council.”
In the new document, the council unveils its preferred options for the area â€"– and both involve keeping a theatre on Foreshore Road, either by refurbishing the existing building or by creating an entirely new one.
It has yet to be decided whether the current facade will be retained. A report which has been sent to the council’s ruling cabinet group finally rejects the idea of creating a commercial development without a theatre, or building a new theatre elsewhere.
But the report controversially says that the revamped theatre could have only between 1,000 and 1,500 seats. This would re-ignite huge protest because it has been proven that the 2,000-seat present capacity can be full, and a reduced capacity would deter big names and shows from including the Futurist on national tours.
And one more picture showing in detail the contraversial signage:
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Two pictures taken on August 31st 2006, the final day of operation.
Exterior:
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Interior (Screen 1):
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and by day in the same month :–
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Another view of the foyer in August 2006 :–
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August 2006 photo of the shop – the cinema canopy remains:–
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Detail of the upper facade in August 2006 here (click on “all sizes” above the picture for a detailed look!):–
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August 2006 photo of the tower here :–
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August 2006 detail of facade here:–
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Picture of the corner tower taken in August 2006 here:–
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Another (sad) picture after closure here:
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A few more pictures of the Essoldo – large size!:
Exterior
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and
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Interior (as bingo hall)
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Two photographs of the Curzon here:–
Exterior:
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Interior (main screen in former circle) :
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Interior shot of one of the screens after sub-division here :–
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Photograph here:
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Another exterior view here:–
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Exterior photo here – after closing but before the canopy and name were altered:–
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Another picture here when still a cinema:–
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Two further exterior pictures here:–
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Two photos taken when it was the Cannon Cinema here :–
Exterior
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Interior (former stalls screen)
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Another exterior photo of the Ionic (around 1982 – scanned image) here :–
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Another photo of the exterior whilst still open :–
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Finally a scanned photo of the cinema when open (as the Lumiere) here :–
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Three more exterior shots of the Regal Edmonton here – all scanned images from the late 1980’s:–
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Four 1980’s photos scanned:–
Exterior
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Main auditorium
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One of the mini's
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The original barrel vaulted ceiling
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Local paper (Scarborough Evening News)today reports:–
From Scarborough Evening News 21/07/2006
[i]People power saves theatre
A THEATRE will remain on the Futurist site on Scarborough’s seafront, council documents have revealed.
This change of thinking by the council follows protests by more than 1,350 readers who responded to a Scarborough Evening News campaign.
The venue has been threatened with closure and demolition for more than four years since Scarborough Council announced plans to sell off the theatre and surrounding site for redevelopment.
The council had said nothing in recent years in support of the long-term future of the Futurist, and was silent on a consultant’s report that backed the retention of the theatre as an option.
This led to the Evening News campaign last November to defend it, and many letters in response by readers.
Scarborough’s Renaissance team gave support to the campaign. It was also brought to the attention of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, which will influence the type and scale of development on the site.
In acknowledging the strength of feeling of Scarborough people over the Futurist, and the work of Barrie Stead in operating the theatre since 2002, the report states:
“The main benefit of the refurbishment scheme is that it would respond to community wishes.
“In recent years, it has been managed successfully with a relatively small management cost to the council.”
In the new document, the council unveils its preferred options for the area â€"– and both involve keeping a theatre on Foreshore Road, either by refurbishing the existing building or by creating an entirely new one.
It has yet to be decided whether the current facade will be retained. A report which has been sent to the council’s ruling cabinet group finally rejects the idea of creating a commercial development without a theatre, or building a new theatre elsewhere.
But the report controversially says that the revamped theatre could have only between 1,000 and 1,500 seats. This would re-ignite huge protest because it has been proven that the 2,000-seat present capacity can be full, and a reduced capacity would deter big names and shows from including the Futurist on national tours.
21 July 2006
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