Don’t sacrifice a cultural gem

Oct 2 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL has much to look forward to over the next year, with all the events making up the Capital of Culture programme and the opening of the new Kings Dock arena.

But, amid all this excitement, it is important not to lose sight of its existing cultural attractions, which have served the city and its people well for many generations.

Yet this would seem to be the fate which is about to befall the Neptune theatre, on Hanover Street, a much-loved and historic theatre which has been entertaining audiences for nearly a century, and has played host to many famous acts including, among others, Steve Coogan, Lenny Henry, and the late George Melly.

The theatre closed in June, 2005, for a refurbishment programme that was supposed to restore the theatre to its former glory, for it to be reopened well in time for the Capital of Culture celebrations.

But now that seems a far-off dream, after a major funding row between Liverpool City Council, which owns the freehold to the theatre, and Hanover Estate Management, the leaseholder.

Not only has this put the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed venue on hold, it has also led to two other offers being made for the site which might see the theatre vanish off the city’s cultural map altogether.

This is a shocking fate for such a well- loved institution, which the council itself describes as a jewel in Liverpool’s cultural crown.

Meanwhile, the delay in work starting means the original £805,000 cost of the Neptune’s refurbishment has soared by 15%, to £925,000.

The ins and outs of this complex fund- ing row are not easy for ordinary people to grasp – but all we, and the council, should be concerned about is making sure this historic theatre is preserved, restored, and brought back into use as soon as possible. If that involves extra cash, few would begrudge it.

Assets such as the Neptune are too important to be made the subject of petty, childish stand-offs such as this.