Answers call on £400,000 Theatre Severn work

Miles Kenny, Shropshire councillor for Underdale, said tax payers deserved an explanation after Shropshire Council approved nearly £400,000 for "maintenance work" at the venue.

Earlier this month it was revealed that the money would be spent on the theatre's fire detection system, its emergency lighting, and to carry out general electrical work.

Councillor Kenny said: "The theatre was opened in 2009 and that is pretty recent to me.

"That fire alarm system should have been bang up to date when it was built, and the rest of the building should have been as well.

"It is completely and utterly incredible.

"They absolutely must explain to the public why there is the need to do this work. They are answerable to the public, this is public money. What is wrong with the old system?" Venue manager David Jack has previously said the work will address issues left over after the building was opened "in a hurry" back in 2009.

He said: "As in any new building there has been lots of snagging issues, lots of things to put right.

"The building was opened in rather a hurry in 2009 before we moved to a unitary authority. There was lots of work that had to be deferred to a later date.

"It is just improvement work and part of the snagging issues you would expect with a building of that size and complexity."

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for culture and leisure, said the maintenance is required to "ensure it continues to operate successfully".

He also said that the council was happy to use August as the period to complete the work.

He said: "Shropshire Council is taking the opportunity to undertake some essential maintenance, refurbishment and upgrade works following its first six years of operation.

"The challenge in a live theatre environment is having sufficient time to undertake maintenance, with shut down periods being very limited throughout the year.

Opportunity

"The council has been targeting a longer shutdown for some time and has decided that summer 2015 presents the best opportunity.

"A number of more intensive and intrusive service items have been lined up to be undertaken during this period.

"The council is also taking the opportunity to upgrade certain electrical systems such as the fire alarm and emergency lighting to ensure the building can be run as efficiently as possible in the future.

"The council recognises the importance of continuous investment in one of its most important venues to ensure it continues to operate successfully into the future."