Date future of Cannock Museum and Prince of Wales Theatre will be determined as petition surpasses 19,000 supporters

The 'Save the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock' petition was started after the theatre and museum were earmarked for closure by Cannock Chase council last week.

The proposal to close the theatre was announced by the council last month as part of efforts to close a £1.5 million budget gap for the years 2025/26.

At the time of writing, 19,970 - more than three-quarters of its 25,000 goal - people have signed a change.org petition to keep the buildings open.

After the petition launched, the theatre and the Museum of Cannock Chase have entered into a four-week consultation period, which came to an end on January 2. 

In an update after the consultation ended, petition organisers thanked those who signed the petition and encouraged those to take the "only opportunity to express your anger over the closure of the Theatre" adding that the petition will be "handed into the council with comments."

Commenting on the petition with her view, Deborah Parry-Clarke wrote: " Angry is not the word! I am absolutely appalled! Yet another kick in the teeth for the arts and our local heritage and culture! These decision making idiots have not one iota of respect, nor pride in the locality that they have been elected to  ‘do the best for!’ Totally clueless!!!"

Performer Claire Oatley wrote: "I perform at the theatre regularly as part of a local amateur group. It is a vital community amenity which brings pleasure to many who cannot travel to or afford to see shows at larger regional theatres."

Adam Cukrowski, from Tamworth, added: "Because grass roots arts venues and theatres are of more importance to a communities well being. Social cohesion and civic pride in the events that go on at such venues can transform our towns and cities. Volunteering by youth unemployed can be life changing for individuals and communities alike. When cutting services like these you devalue the lives of those that surround and use the venue."

The Cannock Chase Council website stated that the "proposed changes to some of cultural and heritage services are to help reduce a forecasted £1.3m shortfall in the budget and safeguard essential services."

It continues: "Like many councils across the country, we’re facing rising costs and growing demand for services. Despite years of careful financial management and savings, the council is forecasting a budget shortfall of £1.3 million for 2025/26. 

"We have worked with Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles (IHL) since 2012 to deliver leisure, heritage and culture services. To help us understand the best way forward for the future we commissioned an independent review of these services and surveyed the condition of the buildings managed by IHL.

"Based on this work, we are proposing the closure of the Museum of Cannock Chase and the Prince of Wales Theatre by the end of April 2025 to ensure a sustainable future for other leisure and wellbeing services in the district. We know these are significant proposals, and we’re committed to hearing your views. We are also keen to explore ideas for an alternative approach to culture and heritage in Cannock Chase as part of this consultation."

The results are now being analysed and a final decision will be made on February 12.

To sign the petition, visit the Change.org website.