News: Theatres Trust fears Futurist demolition after theme park bidder is revealed

The interior of Scarborough's Futurist Theatre.

The Theatres Trust has warned that Scarboroughs Futurist Theatre will face demolition after the proposed bidder for the site was named as theme park Flamingo Land.

Details of the bid made by Flamingo Land a theme park in North Yorkshire were released in September under Bidder B. However, Scarborough Borough Council has subsequently named the company in response to public concern.

If successful, Flamingo Land Coast will include a glass-roofed botanical garden, a rollercoaster, and bar, restaurant and function spaces.

Mark Price, theatres at risk adviser for the Theatres Trust, said the trust had had the Futurist on its theatre buildings at risk register since 2006, adding that the venue currently provided the only indoor venue in Scarborough capable of hosting large scale touring theatre and musical productions needing a flytower.

The 2,150-seat venue was built in 1921 and was used as a theatre and cinema up until its closure in early 2014, which followed years of uncertainty.

The theatre is owned by the council, which decided to close it after negotiations over a new contract with the venues operator broke down.

A report on the future of the theatre also found it to be no longer sustainable.

Price added: We regret the loss of the Futurist which has provided Scarborough with a fully equipped lyric theatre and cinema for over 93 years. It could have been restored to its former splendour and been a real asset for the town.

Bids for the site closed in August and Flamingo Land is working on the project with Leeds-based property and construction company, GMI Estates.

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News: Theatres Trust fears Futurist demolition after theme park bidder is revealed