SHAFTESBURY Theatre has received a grant of £30,000 from Dawlish Town Council. The decision was made at its finance and general purposes committee last week. Dawlish Repertory Company, which owns the Shaftesbury, wrote to the council asking for help with renovation funding. The Rep has currently raised more than £115,000 and completed phase one of three in a grand refurbishment scheme, costing in the region of £300,000. Phase one included raking of the auditorium and creating space for new disabled toilet facilities. However, to complete phase two – reconstructing the lavatories at the front of the building and redoing the frontage so it is disabled friendly – it needs a cash injection of £30,000, which would also help secure further funding for phase three – updating the stage and backstage areas. At the council meeting it was initially proposed by Cllr Hazel Percy that it gives a grant of £15,000 and an interest-free loan of £15,000, but before the vote could be taken, Cllr Humphrey Clements proposed an amendment that the council give the full £30,000. In voting, there were three for the amendment and three against. The committee chairman, Cllr Wally Protheroe, used his casting vote in favour of the full £30,000 grant. Chairman of the Dawlish Repertory Company, Brian Doyle, said after the meeting: 'I'm very, very pleased with the council's decision to grant us the money. 'I am delighted they are making this investment in the town, in a facility that provides such good entertainment for the people of Dawlish both with films and theatre.'
