Historic collaboration heralds starry future for historic hall

The announcement by the theatre clears one of the few remaining hurdles in the discussions, which have rumbled on for six months, and yesterday prompted Harrogate Borough Council to release further details of the cost of the partnership during the initial 12-month deal.

The Yorkshire Post last week reported fears that the talks could be derailed over a six-figure funding shortfall.

However council leader Councillor Don Mackenzie now says the local authority will make a contribution to the partnership on behalf of the Harrogate taxpayer of almost £200,000 – including a one off grant payment of £105,000 to the theatre.

Coun Mackenzie – who described the announcement as “an important new milestone” in the talks – also said: “Every effort has been made to reach an agreement, which provides a great opportunity for the theatre, and which is fair to the council and our residents.

“For its part, the theatre will provide a superb programme of at least 60 artistic and cultural events over the course of the first year of this agreement.

“We recognise the theatre’s amazing expertise in entertainment of the highest quality, and are very pleased that they will bring this to one of finest venues in the country.

“This agreement is very good news for residents and visitors, and will boost our efforts to promote the district as a very popular visitor destination.

He added: “I hope that the shows sell out. Big attendances will boost the theatre’s income, because we have agreed that all profits from the sale of refreshments can be retained by the theatre”.

Coun Mackenzie said he believes the theatre could make a “substantial profit” out of running the Royal Hall, which is currently managed by Harrogate Borough Council as part of the Harrogate International Centre (HIC) portfolio, and costs taxpayers around £1,000 a day.

Following the Harrogate Theatre board and trustees meeting on Monday night, the first in its history, talks between both sides will now continue to ensure that details are agreed in time for approval at the full Harrogate Borough Council meeting on February 9.

Coun Jim Clark, chair of the theatre, said: “I feel this is an extraordinary and unique opportunity to bring together our two heritage buildings that will create strategic purpose and sustainability for many years to come for Theatre, Royal Hall and the arts scene of Harrogate and the district.

“The success of this enterprise is dependent on the support of the whole community, which Harrogate Theatre has always valued in the past.”

The bid to breath new life into the spa town’s venues has been heralded as the biggest shift in the Harrogate district’s arts world in the last 50 years.

Details of a programme of events for this spring has also been unveiled by Harrogate Theatre which includes a series of high-profile shows at the Royal Hall – some of which have already sold out.

Among the acts confirmed to appear at the grade II listed hall are comedian Dara O’Briain and musician Bob Geldof as well as an evening with Honor Blackman and a performance featuring the stars of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Yesterday, the theatre revealed entertainer Elaine Paige would also be performing an exclusive one-off concert at the Royal Hall on April 4.

The next in a series of regular open days at the Royal Hall takes place on Saturday January 21.