Private firm takes over Crawley arts centre (From The Argus)
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Private firm takes over Crawley arts centre
5:30pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News
The keys to a council-run arts centre have been given to a private company.
Parkwood Leisure will now run The Hawth, Crawley, on a ten-year contract.
Crawley Borough Council said the move will save £2.53 million over the next decade but it will continue to subsidise the centre.
Parkwood has proposed new bars and a catering service. It has also vowed to keep the current programme of events for the 855-seat auditorium, 146-seat Hawth Studio and amphitheatre.
The Community Arts Team is still based at the centre and will continue to be employed by the council, a spokesman said.
Councillor Lenny Walker, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “I’m confident that Parkwood Leisure will provide continued improvements in service quality at The Hawth over the duration of the contract, which new and existing customers will appreciate.”
Andrew Holt, chief executive of Parkwood Leisure, said: “(We) are committed to working closely with the existing staff at The Hawth to ensure that the excellent venue continues to provide a first class programme of performing arts and cultural activities for the local communities within the borough and also the south east region.”
