The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Contents of a damning report into Spalding’s South Holland Centre proved to be no surprise to many of the district’s residents.
The report presented to members of South Holland District Council this week outlined key areas for improvement.
A task group created a list of areas which, it said, needed overhauling to make the centre more cost-effective and a greater benefit to the community.
But Voice readers took to social media site Facebook to share their feelings. They said the centre should not be judged just on financial performance because it is a community asset.
Task group member Karl Gernert, director of Act II, said a large proportion of the population still called it the Civic Centre, a name from the 90s, which proved a rebranding would be long overdue.
“The building has a management team who know what they are doing and who know the building and, in fact, always had such a team. Isn’t it about time they were left to get on with running it and given the financial and operational support they need?”
Mr Gernert questioned whether a centre for the arts should be run as a commercial operation as, for example, play parks and libraries were not.
He also said the council had got rid of staff who could have helped with the list of things to be done.
“The building could use a spruce-up and yes, the box office needs manning – which is why SHDC deleting the posts of attendants and many box office/marketing staff was bound to have consequences.”
There was also criticism for the closure of the cafe and the creation of an Italian restaurant which only lasted a few months.
“I really do miss the cafe. It was so great to take the children. It was always busy and sold simple things done really well. I love the cinema and theatre, but there isn’t even a popcorn machine.
“Families need to feel welcome and it [the restaurant] just seemed a bit too fancy for kids,” said Heather Shorrock.
Her sentiments were echoed by Fiona Bowers, who said it was a shame the cafe had closed and suggested improvements for people with disabilities.
“The seating could do with replacing for something a bit comfier and making more spaces available for wheelchair users. Also make easier access to the building for wheelchair users as the revolving door isn’t suitable for us and the electric doors don’t appear to be working.”
The task group was set up to review the centre’s performance and the majority of the 14 were councillors or paid staff members of the council.
Subsidies of £248,285 were required for the year 2019/20 to keep the centre running.
The issue went before a council panel on Wednesday.
