AMATEUR theatre groups in Bolton claim their future could be threatened if plans to sell a drama venue are given the go-ahead.
Proposals have been announced to merge three Methodist churches in Bolton — Astley Bridge, Chorley Old Road, and Halliwell — and to sell the Theatre Church in Seymour Road, Astley Bridge because of dwindling congregation numbers.
It would see the churches move to a new building on the site of the former Delph Hill Methodist Church in Crompton Way.
The Theatre Church, which was converted in 1969 to offer a purpose-built theatre space for local groups, is used by hundreds of people every year.
And the groups that use it are now launching a campaign in a bid to save the building.
The Theatre Church hosts productions by five amateur dramatics societies — CATS Youth Theatre, Five Saints Amateur Theatre Company, St Paul’s (Astley Bridge) AODS, Bolton Catholic Music and Choral Society and Farnworth Performing Arts Company.
CATS Youth Theatre, which has more than 100 members, also use it as their permanent base, where they rehearse and store their sets and costumes.
Paul Cohen, chairman of Bolton Amateur Theatre Society and co-director with his wife Louise of CATS Youth Theatre, said: “We understand the congregations have to merge, but for Bolton to lose that building is a crying shame because of what it gives to the community.”
The Theatre School is also home to community groups, drama schools and sports clubs, including Theatre Dance School, which has 160 pupils, andSharples Wrestling Club.
Sarah Ward, who has run Theatre Dance School at the venue for the past 20 years, said: “Although I have earmarked somewhere for the business to move to should Theatre Church be sold, from a personal point of view to lose the theatre would be a tragedy.
“It is used by so many different people and there is nothing else like it around here.”
Ms Ward says if her dance school is forced to move it would mean she could no longer put on a show once a year, and instead would have to raise funds in order to produce a show at theAlbert Halls — a much more expensive venue — once every few years.
Halliwell Theatre Company, who put on plays at Halliwell Methodist Church, in Harvey Street, will also lose their venue if the building is sold, however the Chorley Old Road Methodist Church, which hosts plays by societies including the Marco Players, will continue to function as it has been bought by its current occupants, Stepping Stones Nursery.
Methodist leaders insist there would be “provision of some drama and theatre” at the planned site.
Superintendent Minister of the Bolton Methodist Circuit, Reverend Gerald Broadbent, said: “At the moment three Methodist Churches in Bolton — Astley Bridge, Chorley Old Road, and Halliwell — are intending to join together and build a new church on the site of the former Delph Hill Methodist Church.
“This new church is presently to be called North Bolton Methodist Mission. It is intended to have a strong community input including the provision of some drama and theatre and other activities in new and exciting ways which we hope would interest existing users.”
He added: “It may well be this will involve the marketing of the Astley Bridge site.
“If this happens the sale would be subject to Charity Commission regulations to obtain the best price possible.
“No decision or date for this is settled and the church will, of course, keep all users in the picture.”
