Northumberland County Council has approved an additional £7.5 million in funding for the Berwick Maltings theatre regeneration project, increasing its total contribution by £2.6 million to be funded through borrowing. The decision was made at a full council meeting on Wednesday, despite calls from the Reform opposition group for a pause to stress-test alternative options.
Funding Increase Approved
The council's new contribution forms part of the £36 million scheme, which has also received further cash from the Borderlands partnership. Overall costs for the project have risen by between £4 million and £5 million from the original 2018 estimates, attributed to inflation in the construction sector and assessment work that has provided a greater understanding of the necessary strategy for the "complex" site.
The proposals, already backed by the council's cabinet, were passed by 42 votes to two, with sixteen abstentions. The additional funding means work can finally start on the site.
Reform Calls for Delay
Reform councillor Trevor Austin had initially called for a pause on the scheme to carry out "stress testing" of additional options. He questioned the sustainability of continued cost increases and the council's full financial exposure.
"How long will these continued increases go on? We need to understand the council's full exposure - what happens if Borderlands funding is reduced or cancelled, if the work is delayed or if interest rates rise?" Austin said. "We're not convinced that all the options have been subjected to financial stress testing so members can compare the risks. Regeneration is important, but so is protecting the public purse."
Council Defends Decision
The council's deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration, Coun Richard Wearmouth, insisted the funding increase was the only real option. He noted that the current building is "not fit for purpose" and that cancelling the project would be "a great shame for the town."
"We could refurbish the current building, but that would cost £11 million and that would be unlikely to qualify for Borderlands funding so that is not a viable option," Wearmouth said. "We would be millions worse off." He added that the current price is valid until the end of the month, and waiting until the next full council meeting in January could lead to substantially higher costs.
Berwick councillor Georgina Hill urged colleagues to vote for the cash injection, saying: "The real north gets very little funding. This is a wonderful opportunity. There's no reason for a delay, please, please, please vote for this and lets get on with this project." Fellow Berwick councillor Isabel Hunter added: "Berwick can't afford to lose this project."
However, Coun Patrick Lambert, representing the nearby Norham and Islandshires ward, was less convinced. He felt the council should look further at redeveloping the existing site and claimed the council's figures on footfall were "fanciful," adding: "They're like something out of Jackanory."
Project to Proceed
Following the vote, Scott Sherrard, Chair of the Maltings Berwick Trust, welcomed the decision. "We are delighted that yesterday the full council meeting at Northumberland County Council approved the revised funding package for the new Maltings venue on Eastern Lane," he said. "This follows an equally welcome funding boost for its construction from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal board."
Sherrard added that the decisions mean a start can be made on site, working to a two-year schedule that gives confidence the venue can open in spring 2029.
