Spalding Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society suggests South Holland Centre needs ‘massive makeover’ to improve as town hub

An amateur drama group said a ‘massive makeover’ is needed to make a theatre into a hub for residents and visitors.

Members of Spalding Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (SADOS) are keen, like other user groups, to safeguard the future of the South Holland Centre in Spalding.

Their response comes in light of comments made by Coun Tracey Carter – deputy leader and portfolio holder for communities and operational housing at South Holland District Council – who vowed that it is crucial to invest in the site to safeguard its future as a strategic plan was presented to councillors.

The committee behind SADOS, which recently performed Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em at the venue, said: “The centre as a whole is in need of a massive makeover.

“We agree that currently there is a good mix of outside events on offer, including tribute acts, comedy events and children’s shows which are well attended and are proving very popular."

The group feels the space needs to be ‘more visually appealing from the outside and foyer inward – it is dull, drab and unattractive in its current state’.

They added: “The box office could be given longer opening hours, at least from 9am - 5pm from Monday to Saturday and remain open during shows and performances.

“If the catering and café was actually open, updated and used properly, people could have access to a lovely space to meet in as a hub.

“The website continues to be tricky to operate and social media from the centre should be explored and utilised too.”

Since SADOS spoke to this paper, it was announced that the Red Lion Hotel is to take over the bars at the centre.

The group feels there’s a need for greater promotion and marketing of the venue and said: “We do feel the centre needs to promote itself as a hub.

“The upstairs function room could be used to run theatre based workshops - running sessions for set building, lighting and sound and acting, singing and dancing, or a community choir.”

SADOS also mention the importance of asking the community what they think about the centre.

They added: “Possibly an action group could be set up with centre staff, the tech team and representatives of all the local groups who do or might use the centre.

“Let’s make the South Holland Centre the nerve centre, core, focus, heart and middle of Spalding that it already should be.”