The Grade 2 listed Crown Theatre in Eccles is facing its final fight for survival after years of previous failed demolition plans. Indigo Planning, on behalf of a company called Foregate Limited, has submitted proposals to Salford City Council for the demolition of the former theatre in order to build 95 one and two bedroom unaffordable flats, with retail and `community space'.
The Lyceum Theatre, as it was called, was opened in 1899 (built 1898), and re-named the Crown Theatre in 1907, hosting many of the top variety acts of the day. It was so popular that extra buses had to be laid on from Urmston to cope with getting crowds to the venue. It became a cinema in 1932 and a bingo hall in 1963, finally closing in the 1980s.
From then, it was left to rot until, in 2003, Ty Jeffries - son of mega famous actor, Lionel Jeffries - who was living in Canterbury Gardens in Eccles, fought Salford Council to get the building listed, as speculators began talking of demolition to make way for apartments.
The building was Grade 2 listed in that year, with English Heritage noting that the Crown was "a rare surviving example of a suburban working-class theatre that still retains the original form of its auditorium and front of house".
Now that heritage is in peril, with Indigo labelling it "a dangerous eyesore", although campaigners and local politicians are determined to oppose the application. For some local residents, opposition centres on the traffic and disturbance associated with 95 flats in a seven storey block going up on their doorstep; while, for others it's about saving the building, restoring it and turning it into a community resource.
"When I found out about the planning application my stomach hit the floor; we're not planners we don't understand how planning or councils work and we feel like we've been done over, shafted" says Jon Grieves of the Save The Crown Theatre Eccles campaign.
"The community wants to save this building, we've got over 2,000 signatures on our petition from people who think it's a great idea" he adds "Apparently, Salford has hit its five year target for housing, so it doesn't need this amount of flats. There are also possible plans for a further four hundred flats on the John William Street car park nearby, so why do we need to knock down a Grade 2 listed building?
"Our campaign is proposing for it to be a theatre, cinema and auditorium with multiple use for the community" he explains "Surely we should be looking at more leisure and entertainment facilities, and you've got a community group that's prepared to be looking at that. It doesn't make sense to demolish a facility that could be developed."
In the listed theatre's place, should the demolition proposals go ahead, there will be no affordable housing. The planning information submitted by Indigo states "that it is not viable to provide affordable housing as part of this proposal", a clause usually accepted by Salford Council planning officers and panel (see The £19million Planning Scandal in the latest print issue of the Salford Star – click here)
Campaigners also state that the agent for the Crown, David Monks, at one point indicated that the building could be sold to them for around £1million. The Salford Star emailed Indigo, which is acting on his behalf, and asked if this offer was still open. Indigo didn't respond*.
Meanwhile, local politicians are lining up with the community to oppose the planning proposals...
"This development is totally wrong for this area" says Eccles councillor, Peter Wheeler "It will dwarf local properties, add to the major traffic problems in the area and reduce the quality of life for local people. Eccles has already lost enough of its history and we will be working closely with local people to ensure their views are made clear to the Council's planning panel."
Salford and Eccles MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, also opposes the plans...
"I have met with campaigners a few times now and fully support the campaign to bring this potentially beautiful building back into productive community use, and even better, community ownership if possible" she says
"Campaigners and myself met with Indigo, the owner's planners, at the end of August where we were informed that in Indigo's view the building was too damaged to be brought back into use" she adds "I raised concerns with Indigo at the time, as it was clear that parts of the building had been demolished leaving gaping holes open to the elements for some time. This was not in my view 'preserving' the listed status of the building.
"At the site visit Indigo intimated that they would be open to offers 'if the price was right'..." she says "I have in the last few weeks found out about the planning application via the campaigners and discussed with one of the members what to do about potentially opposing the application..."
To this end, there are two community consultation meetings about the planning proposals on Tuesday 27th October at 1pm and 7pm at the Nur Malaysia Community Café, Liverpool Road (about 100yds from the Theatre) M30 0WA.
Residents have until Friday 6th November to object to the proposals – click here for more details
For further details see the Facebook pages Save the Crown Theatre Eccles or on Twitter @EcclesLyceum
*Historic England is currently assessing its response to the demolition proposals and the Theatres Trust will be commenting later today...
* See also previous Salford Star article on the Save The Crown Theatre Campaign - click here
* UPDATE: 8:30pm
We have now received a response from David Monks...
"I did suggest that a figure of £1m would be given consideration by the Directors of Keresforth Limited (subject to confirmation of funds) but only after they have achieved a successful planning consent.
"Keresforth has no comment as to whether it would like to see the Crown restored or demolished, however it has been advised by structural engineers that the building is beyond commercially financial restoration. The planning application that has been submitted if approved will substantially improve the area for the local residents and be a landmark building."
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