Top class management for Whitley Bay theatre

27-JUN-08

A world leader in the management of top class entertainment venues has been selected as preferred operator by North Tyneside Council to manage the revamped Whitley Bay Playhouse Theatre

SMG Europe - who locally owns and manages Newcastle's 11,000+ seater Metro Radio Arena and manages The Journal Tyne Theatre as well as some of the best located venues across Europe - will now enter negotiations over the next three months to find a mutually successful arrangement to manage the re-vamped theatre, when it re-opens next year.

SMG Europe operates some of the most prestigious venues in Europe including the MEN Arena in Manchester, the busiest concert venue in the Europe and the Konig-Pilsner Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, as well as The Bridgewater Hall Manchester and Odyssey Arena Belfast; this level of expertise together with their tremendous local knowledge and resources will bring massive benefits to the Playhouse, providing a fresh and professional approach to the project.

SMG have confirmed that the successful balance between commercial events and local user groups will be essential to the future success of the Whitley Bay Playhouse Theatre.

They are committed to engaging with all sectors of the community in its development of the performance venue, indeed a theatre for all.

Elected mayor, John Harrison said: "To have a professional company of this calibre interested in running the Whitley Bay Playhouse Theatre is fantastic for North Tyneside and the region's theatre lovers.

"As a council we have made a commitment to make Whitley Bay a high quality cultural hub. Having SMG Europe working with us will enable us to drive that ambition forward.

"We also recognise that the local amateur organisations will remain an important part of the theatre's future, encouraging local cultural talent."

John Sutherland, Managing Director for SMG Europe said "We see this as a new era for the Playhouse, and are very interested in this project, which we are sure will become a credit to the area. Having been short-listed as the preferred operator, we are now entering negotiations to achieve a positive outcome. We are keen to extend our interest in operating smaller theatre venues like this as well as large arenas, and as such hope that a mutually beneficial way forward is concluded."

The announcement comes as the Playhouse continues to undergo a major redevelopment to transform it into a theatre for the future.

When completed it will boast an elegant new glass foyer, front of house facilities, box office and bar facilities, plus a redesigned auditorium with new seating, new green room and chorus rooms.

The revamp of the Whitley Bay Playhouse Theatre is a key part in the £60 million regeneration scheme for Whitley Bay.

The new Whitley Bay play site has already been completed and the new skate-park will be formally opened to the public on July 21.

Work is continuing on the refurbishment of Whitley Bay Leisure Pool, which when completed will offer innovative active water play equipment for children, a new flume, children's soft play and café, a large state of the art Contours suite, dance studio and a relaxing health suite with a sauna, along with new changing areas.

And refurbishment of the outside of The Dome, a Grade II listed building, has been underway since the end of January

Plans for the joint service centre, being delivered in partnership with the PCT and NNTLIFTCo, are currently on display in Whitley Bay Library. A planning application will be submitted during the summer for the project which will deliver a new library, tourist information centre, housing office, customer service centre, adult social care teams, community space and increased access to health services.

Residents are being offered a full update on the Whitley Bay and other regeneration projects at a public event on July 21 to mark the opening of the skate park.

Issued by:Jeanette Hedley