Lack of events at Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre over Easter holidays a "missed opportunity"

The Lake Street venue was described as a potential “gold mine” by one of its supporters, when Central Bedfordshire Council was recently presented with a motion calling for improved publicity of its activities.

But leisure management company Everyone Active declared itself “fully committed to providing fun and enjoyable events for families, with an exciting half-term programme”.

Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade South councillor Emma Holland-Lindsay emailed CBC and Everyone Active, saying: “I was looking at the programme for the library theatre for the Easter school holidays.

“There only seems to be one child and family event for the whole two-week period, a children’s film (screened yesterday), in addition to a young people’s music academy annual concert.

“This seems like a real shame and a missed opportunity. I’ve two children in lower school and fellow parents told me they’d use the theatre regularly, if more activities were organised for young people.

“Can the team share why there isn’t additional programming planned for the school holiday period?” she asked. “I’m aware there’s a bit extra at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable over the Easter holiday for children, with four events.

“From looking at the website, there appears to be very little planned in general for the library theatre at present.”

Councillor Holland-Lindsay also raised the lack of promotion for Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre and the Grove Theatre in various local communications channels, including a list of Easter holiday activities collated and promoted by CBC.

“This link will have been circulated free of charge by the schools, so there surely can be no cost involved in promoting the theatres alongside the leisure centres and other facilities available,” she added.

“Unfortunately, there’s no mention of the activities in the theatres for either venue. I was disappointed to see no reference to the library theatre in the Primary Times magazine, which arrived via school.

“This magazine includes listings for the Grove, but no mention that I could see of the library theatre. It covers a longer period than just the school holidays, so there’s no reason why future events couldn’t be included.

“It would be really helpful to know what the CBC and Everyone Active teams are doing to promote the theatres. I’m sad to see what I think are simple and low cost opportunities missed for this school holiday.

“We need to ensure that a much better programme and promotion is on offer for May half-term.”

A CBC spokesman explained: “Both theatres are run by Everyone Active, which organises the programme of events and manages the advertising of them via its website and social media channels.”

Everyone Active contract manager Gary Foley said: “We’re fully committed to providing fun and enjoyable events for families and have begun exciting half-term programmes at both theatres already.

“Our schedule in Leighton Buzzard includes a number of films suitable for children and young people, as well as the annual student concert.

“Just down the road in Dunstable, activities include Ice Age Adventure Live, a music show from Justin Fletcher, family film Hoppers and a Robin Hood pantomime.

“We look forward to entertaining families and people across the community throughout this half-term and for many years to come.”