Wait goes on for Spalding area theatre groups as no date for opening South Holland Centre

With theatres due to reopen their doors in May, calls have been made for reassurance over the future of the South Holland Centre.

South Holland District Council says it is waiting for further guidance from the Government over theatres following Monday’s roadmap announcement.

The Market Place theatre has stood empty since March but under the prime minister’s plan indoor events of 1,000 or half-capacity will be allowed with all restrictions hoped to be lifted in June.

We asked the council if performances will be held at the centre in the future but they said that it was too early to say. A council spokesperson said: “It was positive to see the encouraging conditional roadmap laid out by the Prime Minister this week, which paves the way for the return of the way of life that we have all missed so much over the past year.

“Before any decisions are made we are awaiting further Government guidance as to how each level of the roadmap will work, and what guidelines will remain in place at each of these stages.

“We will be using this information to consider the future arrangements for the centre in this new, changed environment.”

Among the people waiting to hear more about the future of the building is Martin Tyrrell, committee member of St Nicolas Players.

The group was holding a dress rehearsal for The Lady In the Van within the centre when the first lockdown was announced.

He said: “We would like to have reassurance that it is going to open again as a professional theatre as that is where ourselves and SADOS (–Spalding Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society) perform.

“We would be quite stuck if there was a question over its future.”

SADOS Chair Jodie Schweikhardt said: “We want to get the theatre open as soon as possible but not just for SADOS as there were other events on hold.

“As soon as we get notice we will start rehearsals for our next play Teechers.”

The Cressett Theatre in Peterborough has already announced its own road to reopening.

Following on from some previous successful socially distanced events, the theatre says it has a ‘exciting possibilities in the works for May and June’.

The South Holland Centre is currently undergoing work to repair a flat roof and the clock. Electrical and drainage maintenance is also being undertaken.