A HERITAGE leader says he is being 'kept in the dark' over multi-million plans for a historic city theatre after project leaders were forced to go back to the drawing board.

Plans for the Scala Theatre in Worcester have been revised after the city council was forced to redesign and scale back its landmark scheme as the budget ballooned.

Worcester News: PLANS: Scala Theatre in Worcester PLANS: Scala Theatre in Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The modified work would create a more flexible space at the grade II listed former theatre in Angel Place to host music, drama, film screenings and comedy.

However, Phil Douce, chairman of Worcester Civic Society, has described the situation as 'a complete fiasco', arguing the public should have a breakdown of how the £17.9 million Future High Streets Fund is being spent (of which £6.5 million was initially allocated to the Scala and Corn Exchange project).

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He has requested (but has yet to receive) copies of contracts (said to be available on request) after a meeting of the policy and resources committee in Worcester on November 21.

Mr Douce says, in his capacity as chairman, he was one of the first people consulted about the scheme but, since then, the organisation has not been involved or able to see how the project is taking shape.

He said: "The space is an opportunity to showcase Worcestershire's history which belongs to the people of Worcestershire. It is a missed opportunity.

"I think we should be part of this discussion and we have been cut out. Where has all this money gone? Where is the plan that all the consultants are working on? What is their vision for this arts centre?"

In the summer, the city council revealed it was scrapping plans to build a new landmark 500-seat Scala Theatre in favour of a much smaller venue after seeing the gap in its budget rocket to £3.5 million in less than six months.

The project, which was being funded by nearly £18 million in government money, has been drastically reduced ever since it was awarded in 2020.

A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: “We are very disappointed that the chairman of the Civic Society feels that his organisation is not being involved in the project to create a new arts venue for Worcester.

“Mr Douce was invited to and did attend one of the recent stakeholder engagement sessions, at which we listened to the views of a range of interested parties including his. Mr Douce also attended the November meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, at which the results of that engagement exercise were considered.

“The investment of the City Council’s Future High Streets Fund allocation has been clearly set out in published reports, and it includes both property acquisitions and a significant investment in the public realm, such as the ongoing improvements to paving in the northern part of the city centre.

“The reports Mr Douce has requested will be provided to him in due course.

“A report on the next steps in the Scala project will be published next week, and considered by the Policy and Resources Committee at a public meeting on December 19, which Mr Douce will be welcome to attend.”