Council criticised for 'failing' to promote theatre events in Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable

Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre and the Grove Theatre, Dunstable, play a vital role in enabling local residents to access film, theatre and music close to home and at low cost, according to Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade South councillor Emma Holland-Lindsay.

But she said that the theatres' events were left off a summer ‘What’s On’ email – much to to her “frustration”.

Tabling a written question to a CBC meeting, cllr Holland-Lindsay said: “Despite a range of family friendly films and theatre shows during the school holidays, the local authority has failed to promote our theatres to residents in its regular emails and on the [council] website.

“Our residents can’t use our theatres and keep them thriving if they don’t know what’s happening in them.

"What steps is the executive member taking to improve CBC’s promotion of our theatres across its communication channels?”

Executive member for assets, business and housing, councillor Steve Watkins, replied: “It’s vitally important we support our theatres, with part of that through the marketing programme.

“Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard ward members and myself met with our operator Everyone Active’s management team to better understand the challenges facing the industry, its practices and the contractual arrangements

“Everyone Active has instigated several actions subsequently, including an offer from the sustainable transport team to use CBC bus shelters to advertise the programme of events at the library theatre.

“CBC enabled the adoption of Centrebus, which mainly serves Leighton Buzzard. Brochures of the theatre programme and season highlights are now available on buses throughout the town, as a result."

Cllr Watkins explained that CBC communications and councillors have shared social media content published by the theatres. As in previous years, the programme will be included in annual council tax publications.

Meanwhile, Everyone Active has secured advertising space across 11 community noticeboards and one online community forum in partnership with Leighton-Linslade Town Council.

Cllr Watkins added: “Work is ongoing with Leighton Buzzard library to agree building-mounted window graphics for theatre promotions, while also there was a leaflet drop to 10,000 homes in the town.

“In Dunstable, paid advertising has been placed in all editions of Talk of the Town magazine delivered to about 16,000 households. Dunstable Town Council has provided noticeboard space and digital screen coverage.

“The family programme has been promoted through paid Primary Times magazine advertising. There’s always more we can do on our own website, although the theatre websites advertise all events.”

Councillor Holland-Lindsay described it as “a really positive list”, saying: “I’m really pleased the team reacted so quickly and the level of activity planned.

"Are you confident we’ve got those working relationships sorted and we should see more through promotion across the council channels?”

Cllr Watkins added: “The list of actions I mentioned are already ongoing and not necessarily the result of the email you sent this summer.

“The emails issue has been raised with the team and we’ll keep improving this. That was because a member of staff was away, which isn’t really an excuse as there should always be a handover.”