Bathgate’s Reconnect Regal theatre trust has thrown a lifeline to the Howden Park Centre theatre complex in Livingston.
Council officers are in talks with Reconnect SCIO which run the art deco cinema/theatre to take on the management of Howden Park from the end of August.
West Lothian Leisure won permission last month to close three swimming pools. Their plan to close the Livingston theatre was put on hold after the council agreed to emergency funding until the end of March 2024.
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All four facilities currently make a significant monthly financial loss and WLL claimed it would face insolvency risking the closure of all Xcite Facilities if the four did not close. Pools in Armadale, Livingston and Broxburn are set to close.
The cafe in Howden Park Centre, which had only limited opening times, has already closed.
Before a decision was made, last month councillors instructed officers to explore alternative commercial and community options that would allow for continued provision, including inviting expressions of interest and other related matters.
The council also agreed that £140,000 of one-off revenue funding was made available until 31 March 2024 to support the operation of Howden Park, given that a future programme of events was required to secure its viability and that that many events could not be suitably accommodated elsewhere.
Following that work, a proposal considered to be viable has been received from Reconnect SCIO – which currently operates the Regal Theatre in Bathgate - for the continued operation of Howden Park Centre as a theatre and arts venue, and as the permanent base for Firefly Arts, up to 31 March 2024.
Further work is required to support the transition from WLL to Reconnect SCIO, such as the agreement of lease terms and obtaining Creative Scotland consent to the change but, subject to those being secured, the venue will remain open up to 31 March 2024, and operated by Reconnect SCIO.
Council officers have also been instructed to continue to explore options for operations beyond March 2024.
West Lothian Leisure will now cease operations at Howden Park Centre on 31 August 2023. The council will now work in conjunction with key representatives from WLL and Reconnect SCIO to progress key work on a number of legal, governance, finance, property and human resources matters.
The council has also agreed to:
- Establish a cross-service project team of council officers to oversee the future continued operation at Howden Park Centre
- Identify potential business/venue critical capital expenditure requirements, alongside potential resourcing options.
- Develop a customer and stakeholder engagement plan, to ensure that the necessary consent is obtained from Creative Scotland to the change and that customers and venue users are updated on progress.
Council Leader, Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “It is positive that a viable alternative has been identified through this piece of work that will enable Howden Park Centre to remain open and provide arts and theatre provision for the local community and local groups.
“Reconnect SCIO has a good track record of operating a successful arts venue locally and currently operates the Regal Theatre in Bathgate.
“As a priority, officers from the council will continue to help ensure that Howden Park has a successful future from April 2024 onwards.
“Howden Park Centre is an important facility and nobody wants to see it close its doors. The financial reality is so stark that, without another provider taking on the venue, it would be forced to close. The council and West Lothian Leisure cannot continue to deliver the same level of services as before without the funding that would enable us to do that.
“I am incredibly grateful to those that have expressed an interest in the facility and have taken the time to meet with council officers to go over the proposals. There has been a huge amount of support given to Howden Park Centre and I think everyone acknowledges that. I have had the opportunity to meet with representatives of some of these groups and I know how much Howden Park Centre, and the availability of a local arts venue, means to them. I completely understand and share in their belief that West Lothian should have a successful and thriving arts venue.”
