Labour cllrs have failed in their bid to overturn a decision to prioritise the refurbishment of Cannock's Prince of Wales Theatre over wider town centre regeneration.

Cannock Chase Council's Reform UK cabinet voted unanimously last month to retain and refurbish the cultural venue – at a cost of more than £9.5m – instead of progressing a wider development plan for Cannock town centre that would involve the demolition of the theatre, regeneration of the site and exploration of new uses for the authority's Civic Centre site, including new homes and retail space.

The cabinet decision was called in for scrutiny however by Labour group leader Tony Johnson – the authority's former leader – and four fellow cllrs – Mandy Dunnett, Maureen Freeman, Jeff Hill and Jacquie Prestwood.

They raised concerns at a meeting on Tuesday (22 September) about the impact of spending the majority of the remaining funds from the Government's Levelling Up Fund (LUF) on the theatre rather than wider town centre regeneration.

Cllr Johnson said: "We as the Labour Group have serious concerns that Cannock Chase Council is at risk of losing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to regenerate Cannock town centre.

"If the retailers under the multi-storey car park are not relocated, the development area will be significantly reduced; that would weaken the scheme at the very point when we need ambition and could cause larger developers to walk away.

"A successful town centre cannot rely on piecemeal change.

"It needs a balanced mix of shops, bars, restaurants and housing, with housing providing the regular footfall and customer base that businesses need to survive.

"Excluding the Civic Centre from demolition and redevelopment would also undermine the regeneration programme.

"The site could provide a realistic relocation option for retailers and unlock land for much-needed council housing, helping to reduce the local waiting list.

"If we do not act, the council risks being left with an expensive building that may have limited purpose after local government reorganisation, while also blocking the wider transformation of the town centre.

"With about £14m left in the LUF, allocating £9.6 million to the Prince of Wales would not represent good value for taxpayers.

"It would leave just £4.4m for the wider regeneration programme, sharply reducing what could be delivered across the town centre.

"Even if the theatre were refurbished, an operator would still be needed, and we understand this would require an annual subsidy of £500,000 — more than three per cent of the council's yearly budget.

"Losing the Prince of Wales building, however, need not mean losing performing arts provision in Cannock.

"A new cultural and educational hub could provide performance space, support a partnership with the college, meet its need for additional town-centre space, potentially accommodate Cannock Library and include council offices."

Members of the council's Economic Prosperity Scrutiny Committee, who considered the call-in at Tuesday's meeting, voted to reject Cllr Johnson's motion however.

He had called for the council to "progress the development framework approach, including the redevelopment of the Prince of Wales Theatre site as part of a wider mixed-use regeneration scheme and the further exploration of opportunities relating to the Civic Centre site, major retail provision, housing, commercial development, cultural uses and educational facilities."

Council leader Paul Jones told the committee the decision was made following discussions with council officers, party group leaders and experienced bodies such as the national Theatres Trust. He said "Cabinet fully recognises both options carry risk; we undertook due diligence.

"We also listened carefully to local residents – many spoke about the significance of the Prince of Wales, its history and identity.

"Cabinet thought it right for these views to form the basis of consideration.

"The development framework opportunities were considered in detail.

"Cabinet considered refurbishment to be the most realistic and responsible option to explore further, while continuing to support regeneration objectives for the town centre.

"Members may hold different views.

"However, Cabinet followed the correct process and reached its decision in good faith."

During the debate, which went on for more than an hour, Conservative group leader Olivia Lyons, Green group leader Andrea Muckley and Reform UK member Melissa Cecil spoke in support of refurbishing the theatre and highlighted its value to the community.

Cllr Cecil said: "The Prince of Wales isn't just a building.

"Even with the theatre closed, people are still talking about it.

"When I was out campaigning, residents wanted their theatre saved.

"They wanted a place that had been part of their community for generations to have a chance and we need to listen to that."

Cllr Muckley said: "I'm concerned that our focus is wrong.

"Our focus should be on the wellbeing of the people of our district.

"We should be working for the betterment of the entire district.

"We need to make sure we're not wasting money and it needs to be done properly – I think we can do it if we all work together."

Cllr Lyons, who chaired the scrutiny committee meeting, said: "I'm pleased with the direction of travel.

"I have been very clear from the outset I did not agree with the decision to close the Prince of Wales and later to demolish the theatre.

"Equally, I didn't think it was the right time to develop the Civic Centre site.

"My concern is what consideration Cabinet, as the executive, has given to making this decision."

A number of cllrs directed questions to Cllr Jones.

Many of them were delegated to council officers to provide responses to.

Cannock Chase MP Josh Newbury was among the audience in the public gallery for Tuesday's meeting.

Speaking after the meeting he said: "The leader of the council, Paul Jones, was clearly completely out of his depth – he proved unable to answer a single question put to him by cllrs across the political spectrum.

"I remain clear in my view that there should be a place for performing arts in Cannock Town Centre.

"However, after tonight's meeting, I am deeply concerned about the viability of this refurbishment and so should anyone who wants to see a re-opened theatre in the heart of Cannock."

Cllr Daniel Cecil branded the call-in a "waste of time" however he added: "This isn't scrutinising the costs, it's scrutinising the decision we have taken in saving the Prince of Wales."