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Search forSevenoaks Town Council's Stag Theatre dream stays alive
Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 08:00
District councillors last night paved the way for the town council to operate the arts complex by dismissing Kent County Council's rival proposal.
The Stag closed on July 7 when previous operator Kino Holdings abandoned its 25-year lease after just nine months.
The town council wants to set up a charitable trust to reopen the building, complete with both cinemas, the theatre, studio and bars, and run it as a community amenity from January.
Kent County Council had wanted to shut one of the two cinemas and carry out major internal changes - including removing the iconic central staircase - to turn the Stag into a theatre and cinema with a 'one stop shop' of various council services.
But district council officers identified a string of failings in the county council's bid and councillors immediately rejected the proposal last night, with one member saying elements of it were "almost insulting".
During the ensuing 1hr 45min debate, the town council bid was put under intense scrutiny amid repeated calls for the district council to cash in on the Stag building.
"We should be considering the possibility of selling this site," said Cllr Emma Moore.
But the council's proposal survived to be looked at again twice more by the district council, ahead of a final decision scheduled to be made at a special meeting on October 30.
Afterwards town councillor Andrew Eyre said: "We are pleased we passed the first hurdle - we knew there would be questions."
See tomorrow's Chronicle for full story and reaction.
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