Cabinet at St Albans City and District Council reaffirmed its commitment to the future development of The Maltings Arts Theatre following a discussion about the venue at its meeting on 13 July 2010.

Plans are being draw up for the arts venue to be turned into a cultural centre for the community providing access to alternative film up to five days a week, live theatre and other events, an upgraded café/bar and a digital lounge that will operate as a venue for film clubs, social events, arts workshops, specialist arts training sessions and business meetings.

Cabinet agreed that members of its Community Panel and existing customers of the Maltings will be consulted on the plans, following a request from the Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) Committee that a limited consultation takes place.

The findings from this consultation will be fed in to a report on the Maltings Arts Theatre that will be presented to Cabinet in October. The report will also include a business case and project plan for the refurbishment of the venue, which continues to play host to theatre performances and film screenings.

Cabinet also decided that following a number of recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny (Public Services) Committee at its meeting on 27 May 2010, the October Cabinet report will also include:

• analysis of the advantages and drawbacks of the Maltings site;
• a range of costed options for the continuing future of the Maltings as a theatre;
• a clear analysis of the impact of the options on live theatre;
• consideration of how to maximise available seating as part of the analysis of different options;
• clear consideration of the target markets and any possible competition with the future Alpha/Odeon cinema;
• clarity on the Theatre’s proposed role and programme and consider any ‘quick wins’ which should be taken forward under any future option (e.g. improvements to ticketing, physical improvements to the exterior and access to the Theatre, analysis of good practice at other local theatres).
• information on the flexibility of space under current arrangements compared to the proposed options;
• a description of the fit with District Vision;
• a clear explanation of what is meant by “the use of the theatre as a base for a new cultural hub”