04 July 2009Sevenoaks District Council is saddened and disappointed at the closure of the STAG this week.
Kino have agreed to return the keys to the theatre and cinema complex to the District Council tomorrow (Tuesday 8 July) following the conclusion of the Sevenoaks Summer Festival.
The Council is now taking stock of the situation and is starting to consider all the options that are available to it. On Thursday (10 July 2008) early consideration of the situation begins with a report to the Council’s Cabinet.
Cllr Elaine Bracken, the Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for the arts, says: “Naturally the initial reaction to the news was one of sadness and disappointment. However now we need to begin to look to the future and consider all the possibilities that are available."
Sevenoaks District Council was informed by Kino of its decision to close last week (Tuesday 1 July). The news came as a surprise and disappointment to the Council as the Chairman of Kino Holdings had given positive assurances regarding the future of the STAG to the Council as recently as 27 May 2008 at the Social Affairs Select Committee.
After receiving news of the closure of the building from Kino, the Council immediately informed the Sevenoaks District Arts Council, and the Sevenoaks Community Arts & Theatre group (SCAT) of the situation, and stressed that it had used its best endeavour to keep the venue open throughout the Sevenoaks Summer Festival.
Residents will be able to keep informed of the latest developments by visiting the Council website, www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/stag.
