New theatre and performing arts hub to be created in Melton Mowbray

The project will be a collaboration between Melton Borough Council and Loughborough College Group and follows the recent public consultation into the future of the town’s college campus and theatre site on Asfordby Road.

The new hub will benefit from the £2M levelling-up funding which had to be diverted to the Stockyard after the previous college owner, SMB College Group, was unable to accept it due to having financial issues.

The college group, which took over the running of the college campus when it merged with SMB earlier this year, says it will still work with interested parties on the theatre site and will explore all viable options for its development.

One of the proposals put forward by a campaign group is to put Melton Theatre under community ownership with shareholders all having a stake and grant funding being applied for.

There is a backlog of maintenance work which needs doing of around £3M on the campus and theatre site and Loughborough College Group has said it is not viable for them to operate the site, prompting an appeal in last month's consultation for potential new owners or investors to come forward.

The Cultural Hub will secure the future of the performing arts courses, which are the only remaining college studies on the Melton college site.

When developed, the Hub will feature spaces suitable for theatre performances and provide students with access to modern cultural spaces for rehearsal and performance, as well as inspiring environments designed to support creative learning and enterprise.

Its development will be underpinned by collaboration with local communities, cultural organisations and partners - helping to shape a space that not only meets the needs of students but also the community and practitioners that will support its future as a Cultural Hub.

When developed, the new Cultural Hub will feature spaces suitable for theatre performances and provide students with access to modern cultural spaces for rehearsal and performance, as well as inspiring environments designed to support creative learning and enterprise.

The development of the Cultural Hub will be underpinned by collaboration with local communities, cultural organisations and partners - helping to shape a space that not only meets the needs of students but also the community and practitioners that will support its future as a Cultural Hub.

When developed, the new Cultural Hub will feature spaces suitable for theatre performances and provide students with access to modern cultural spaces for rehearsal and performance, as well as inspiring environments designed to support creative learning and enterprise.

The development of the Cultural Hub will be underpinned by collaboration with local communities, cultural organisations and partners - helping to shape a space that not only meets the needs of students but also the community and practitioners that will support its future as a Cultural Hub.

Corrie Harris, CEO of Loughborough College Group, said: “We are delighted to continue delivering our thriving Performing Arts provision here in Melton Mowbray, where so many talented young performers begin their journey.

“This partnership with Melton Borough Council and the new Cultural Hub represents an exciting step forward; not only for our Performing Arts students, but for all our students, who will benefit from new opportunities to engage with the wider community.

“At Loughborough College Group, our priority is always to invest in our students and their futures.

"Once in place, the Cultural Hub will provide a fantastic, sustainable facility for our Performing Arts courses and theatre performances alike, ensuring our students continue to receive the outstanding academic and pastoral support that we are proud to deliver.”

The theatre space at the Stockyard is likely to be created inside the trader hall, which is due to undergo major refurbishment as a results of the government levelling up funding.

Plans show that the trader hall is due to become an enclosed building with a refurbished roof to provide a more welcoming environment for market users plus public and cultural events.

The council says it has always been keen to ensure that creative education continues to thrive in Melton Mowbray to support local talent and enrich the community.

Councillor Pip Allnatt, leader of Melton Borough Council said “We are excited about the development of a Cultural Hub at The Stockyard.

"We are committed to working with Loughborough College Group as well as our local communities and cultural organisations to turn this concept into a reality and continue to offer high quality Performing Arts education in Melton Mowbray.

“Having this facility will provide excellent opportunities for young people to access inspiring cultural activities, supporting them to achieve their aspirations and engage with a rich, creative curriculum.

"I want to thank local groups and individuals for their enthusiasm and continuing support to create something of value for the next 50 years and retain a vital teaching venue in Melton.

“We look forward to involving them in future and updating everyone further as things progress.”

The planned Cultural Hub at the Stockyard, which is on the livestock market site, will be in addition to the approved plans to create a food production hub, an open air events space and modernised toilets there, using £11M levelling-up funding.

Work was due to start on that earlier this year but it is now delayed until next July with the borough council in the process of reviewing what will be built on the site.