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Mayor speaks out over Civic Theatre fears
Dave Hodgson sets record straight on plans
Mayor of Bedford Dave Hodgson this week hit out at critics of his plans to close Bedford Civic Theatre, and claimed that cuts are vital to preserve other public services.
Mr Hodgson said that Borough Hall must trim 23million from its budget over the next two years.
But he reckoned that his administration was still committed to the arts.
Mr Hodgson said: "Nobody likes to close theatres but the fact of the matter is that we have three council-subsidised theatres in Bedford town centre.
"If the campaigners can bring to me a way to run the Civic as an arts venue without costing taxpayers money we would look into it.
"I have said this to them but I have heard nothing so we are working to find alternative venues for the groups which use the space for their activities."
Bedford Borough Council announced in April that the theatre was to close.
The mayor made an executive decision that the venue will close, and the building will become a one-stop shop for council services.
Since then a group protesting against the closure, Save Our Civic have collected nearly 5,000 signatures opposing the move, which would come into force next year.
But Mr Hodgson said: "If the 1,400 people that signed up on the Facebook site had actually used the Civic then we would be in a very different situation.
"We don't have to pay for theatres, we don't have to pay for art galleries and we only have to pay for one library. We have had to cut 23million from our budget in two years.
"In the worst financial crisis since the 1930s it is a choice between the Civic Theatre and looking after other public services.
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Weather for Bedford
Monday 13 February 2012
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Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
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