Council to help Clifton group with business case
Telford & Wrekin Council is to join forces with Wellington Town Council to help the group seeking to bring the former Clifton cinema in Wellington back into use as a community arts venue.
The Council is to support the group to develop its business plan and will match any commitment made by Wellington Town Council. This follows a motion at the town council’s meeting last night.
The Clifton Group has been working to raise money through a shares issue to buy the site and turn it into an arts and independent cinema venue.
A partnership group involving Wellington Town Council, Telford & Wrekin Council and the Clifton Group is now being set up to look at all possibilities to save the building and help the Clifton Group develop a sustainable and robust business plan.
The money to support the scheme will come from the Council’s Pride in Your Community programme and will be on top of wider regeneration works in Wellington, announced earlier this year, which includes £180,000 investment by Telford & Wrekin.
Cllr Shaun Davies, cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, Employment & Skills, said: “The Clifton is an iconic building and there are many people in the community who would love to see it brought back into use as a community arts venue.
“However, for any such redevelopment to be successful the Clifton needs a fully viable business plan to ensure it can be a long-term sustainable business.
Cllr Angela McClements, ward councillor for Arleston who also seconded the motion at Wellington Town Council added; “The Clifton could be a fantastic facility for the community and help attract many new visitors to Wellington, but it can do so only if it can stand on its own two feet.
“This partnership, with support from both councils, will help to ensure that it has the best chance of putting a very solid platform in place from which I hope we can build the strongest possible case for the Clifton and move this forward.”
