IN a further blow to Redgrave supporters, Waverley Council is to investigate opportunities for increasing theatre and performance through Farnham Maltings. The move is the council's response to the business plan commissioned by the Farnham Theatre Association, which wants to see a purpose-built theatre operating in the town once again. The report by eminent theatre consultant Michael Holden found that such a theatre could function in the town without becoming a financial burden on council tax payers. However, although not requiring revenue funding, the capital costs would need to be found. Mr Holden believed that the capital invested by the community in the Redgrave should be used for the purpose, and not simply lost to Waverley's coffers in connection with the East Street redevelopment. Meanwhile, the theatre association is campaigning rigorously for the redevelopment plan to be thrown out and the Redgrave saved from demolition. But six months after Mr Holden presented his report to Waverley's executive, the council has responded by committing £10,000 to a study of how increased opportunities for theatre can be provided at the Maltings. The move was approved by the full council without debate. Commenting afterwards Byron Grainger-Jones, portfolio holder for leisure, said: "As a council, Waverley is keen to identify how it can best support the increase of community access to amateur and professional theatre and performance throughout the borough. "One of the policies in relation to this is to support the development of the Farnham Maltings as a key centre of culture within the borough." Consultants will be appointed to assess the needs of the community, and a feasibility study will be carried out on ways to improve the Maltings' facilities, including the Great Hall, for performance purposes.
