Significant funding will be required to restore an ”iconic” Dundee theatre, the man charged with resolving its future this week admitted.
Lord Provost John Letford has appealed to the people of the city to show their support for the Whitehall Theatre, either financially or by other means, following a torrid 2011 for the historic building.
Mr Letford, speaking as chairman of the Whitehall Theatre Trust, believes the theatre could easily become a focal point in the city once again after Dundee City Council and Leisure and Culture Dundee stepped in to save the venue late last year.
Backed by what he called a ”formidable” trio of organisations, Mr Letford is now turning to the public of Dundee to guarantee a long-term future for the theatre.
He told The Courier: ”I was never in entertainment but the theatre has become a bit of an obsession. A lot of finance is required to make sure that the theatre is fit for purpose and we are trying to raise funds for that.
”I have sent out letters as chairman of the trust asking for assistance. We had a lot of people offering their support when there was trouble and now I am asking them to help.”
Whitehall Theatre (Dundee) Ltd, the charitable trust that dealt with day-to-day operations at the venue, went into liquidation in August leaving the building’s owner, the Whitehall Theatre Trust, seeking assistance from elsewhere.
In November, after members of its policy and resources committee heard the theatre had a financially viable future, Dundee City Council agreed a one-year pilot to keep the site open with Leisure and Culture Dundee taking on responsibility for ticketing and box office services.
Although unable to provide an exact amount, it is thought that a six-figure sum would be required to restore the building to its former glory.
While Mr Letford is hopeful that a grant for lottery funding can be made in the near future, he is aware the onus lies with the trust in sustaining the Whitehall.
”It’s the people’s theatre and is an iconic building,” he continued. ”The Whitehall Theatre will be run for people across the city. That will pave the way for a us to apply for a lottery grant.
”Dundee City Council will be able to assist us with that but that application will be made by the trust. But we will also have to step up to the oche and raise funds ourselves.”
Mr Letford has an association with the theatre going back almost 30 years and he is well aware that its future will depend on bringing people through its doors.
Some former patrons are understood to be owed refunds from shows cancelled throughout the turbulent recent months and while unable to offer concrete news of when everyone will receive their money back, Mr Letford insists they have not been forgotten about.
”We’re working really hard as this is a real community issue,” he added. ”The responsibility may lie elsewhere but I want these people to come back. I have sent out letters as chairman of the trust asking for assistance.”