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MP wants 2010 to be ‘the year of the globe’

A North East MP has renewed his campaign for the restoration of Stockton’s Globe Theatre.

Stockton North MP Frank Cook says he hopes that 2010 will be the year when ‘at long last we see progress in returning one of our most important buildings to its former glory.’

The MP says the recent news that the owners of the Art Deco building have submitted proposals for its restoration and upgrading, could provide ‘a unique opportunity to restore Stockton as a major entertainment venue and give a massive shot in the arm to the economy of the town centre.’

Frank Cook said: “I believe that across the whole of Teesside there would be delight if the coming year saw genuine progress in restoring the Globe which has huge potential to put our area back on the map for major entertainment shows of all kinds.

“Apart from the fact that it appears much of its magnificent interior remains intact despite the years when it has lain empty, with a seating capacity exceeding 2,000 it is one of the biggest theatres outside London – dwarfing all other theatre buildings in the North East.

“When in 2007 Stockton Council and the Globe’s owners Jomast Developments commissioned a study to look at options for the buildings, it did seem that at long last there was a glimmer of hope that it could reopen. The recent decision by Jomast to submit plans for its restoration and improvement now offers the chance for real progress and I am certainly prepared to do everything possible to help.

“The potential benefits of bringing it back into use are enormous—especially since it is in the heart of the town centre. You only need to look to Darlington or Sunderland to see how a thriving theatre can boost the local economy and improve the image of an area.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .