A DEVON THEATRE saved from closure in the mid-1980s has received a setback in ensuring its future survival after its application for a Culture Recovery Fund grant was turned down.

Last week we reported how the Babbacombe Theatre had weathered the Covid storm and, thanks to crowdfunding and massive local support, was planning to open its doors again in November.

However, with new lockdown restrictions being imposed from Thursday it means the lack of funding will not make life easy for the venue.

Said the theatre’s owner Colin Matthews: ‘Apparently, in The Arts Council’s own words, the Babbacombe Theatre is not culturally significant or contributing to providing cultural opportunity in England.

‘I was under the impression that theatres were all in it together. But now there is a divide between those that received funds and those that did not. It would seem the Babbacombe Theatre is apparently not here for culture.

‘Unfortunately we at the the Babbacombe Theatre only provide entertainment for thousands of satisfied customers each year – or at least we did before lockdown and the total loss of revenue – which is not the remit the Arts Council is looking for.’

The theatre has been part of Devon’s entertainment industry since the 1930s when it was built in 1938 as the Babbacombe Downs Concert Hall to replace a weather-damaged bandstand.

During the Second World War the Royal Air Force commandeered the venue as an aircrew receiving centre and it wasn’t until the end of the war that it came into its own as a venue with a reputation for hosting rising stars on the threshold of their careers.

Many of them appeared as part of Hedley Claxton’s Gaytime productions, including in the mid-1950s Bruce Forsyth, who appeared over two seasons in 1955 and 1956. Other top names who cut their teeth at their cliff-top venue included David Nixon, Ted Rogers, Ray Allen, Norman Vaughan and Roy Hudd.

Colin Matthews has owned and operated the theatre since 1986, and he is responsible for devising and directing all of the home-grown shows. The theatre also actively encourages and develops up-and-coming talent.

Colin posted his feelings in a social media post 10 days ago – which started almost immediately to trend reaching over a quarter of a million people in a few days.

Colin added: ‘With this amount of support I think it just goes to show that this is a popular venue supported and loved by thousands of people.’