£75k Theatre Royal lease 'for free'
Lincoln Theatre Royal's £75,000 lease could be given away for nothing when funding ends next year.
Director Chris Moreno has said that if an offer comes forward from a charity he likes, he could hand over the 25-year lease for free.
Groups keen to keep the theatre open are meeting on Thursday to forge a rescue plan for the venue.
Several organisations have also approached Mr Moreno to express an interest in taking on the lease.
Now there appears to be new hope that the building will stay open – just days after the director said the building could be left to "stand empty and rot".
Mr Moreno told the Echo that the cost of the lease would depend on the offer.
"If it's a charity I know, love and respect, I don't think I would be wanting anything," he said.
Mr Moreno and actress Sue Hodge, best known for her role as Mimi in 'Allo 'Allo!, met with Lincoln MP Gillian Merron on Friday to discuss the future of the venue.
"Gillian told me not to give up," he said.
Theatre groups in the city have given a cautious welcome to the news.
For more on the future of the Theatre Royal, plus reaction from Lincoln theatre groups, see Monday's Echo.
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by Chris, Lincoln
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 6:23PM
“I've been lucky enough to tour to the theatre royal lincoln, a couple of years ago (i'm now a student at the uni) and it was gorgeous. It'd be a real shame if it shut, and I wish I had the £75k to take it on, because it deserves some love. It's a wonderful venue, just needs some love and some fresh ideas.”
by merrick, lincoln
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 5:33AM
“and here we go again! If Mr Moreno seriously expects people to pay for a lease on a building that he cannot make profitable without external funding then why does he expect that others may be able to? oh yes, because he won't be there!! Freddie Starr booked for how many nights? please!
As for Gillian Merron, profile raising apart, just what has it to do with her? Unless of course she is planning on producing her own version of Hairspray?”
by W Blower, Lincoln
Monday, October 13 2008, 6:54PM
“Lets see the money£££ that is invested into the Theatre be spent on more needed public services.”
by James arnald, sleaford
Monday, October 13 2008, 6:17PM
“My little sister goes to the licoln theatre royal school of performing arts what will hapen to that???”
by ninook, Lincoln
Monday, October 13 2008, 2:06PM
“They should get Brotherhood of Man on by crikey already. They sing nice songs that make you not want to kill people and they have nice moustaches.”
by Anon, Lincoln
Monday, October 13 2008, 2:05PM
“I'll gladly take it off your hands for free!”
by Swiss Toni, Switzerland
Monday, October 13 2008, 11:52AM
“Turn it into a homeless shelter. Gillian Merron might need a place to stay once she loses her office and generous expense account. And I wouldn't take advice off her Sunshine. I think that you will get more sense out of the Special Brew 'cocktail party' that frequents Lincoln's park benches.”
by Geoffrey G Brooking, Henley-upon-Thames
Monday, October 13 2008, 10:59AM
“Why not just sell the whole thing once and for all and concentrate everything on the Drill Hall?”
by mark thompson, branston
Monday, October 13 2008, 8:48AM
“Ian, i think the comment about Ms Merron relates to the fact that she only gets involved in local issues that are high profile for the good of raising her profile then dissapears when it goes wrong.”
by Ian, Lincoln
Monday, October 13 2008, 7:57AM
“Interesting how Gillian Merron gets criticised for apparently not getting involved in local issues and now is criticised for getting involved!”