Councillor Clare Welsby is the group leader of Ealing Green Party and represents Hanwell Broadway, which neighbours Walpole ward. She writes about plans for a temporary 1,200-seat Troubadour theatre in Walpole Park and why she believes it should be located elsewhere in Ealing and not in any of the borough’s parks.
“Troubadour Theatres, which operates theatres in Wembley and Canary Wharf, is planning a temporary 1,200-seat theatre in Walpole Park which would operate for three years and could bring major West End productions to Ealing.
“Walpole Park is a focal point in central Ealing. A park that has successfully given up some of its green space for nearly 18 years to host Ealing’s Summer Festivals for one month in the year.
“The summer festival has grown over the years to include comedy, blues, jazz, New Gen (for young people), a beer festival, Latino Lite and the As One in the Park (celebrating the LGBTQ+ community). They have recently introduced a kid’s area alongside the Jazz and Blues Festival
“Having this park take over for one month in the year as with other park events allows the park to recover over the rest of the year. Walpole Park is central to Ealing borough with very good local public transport links as well as in and out of the borough – bringing local people and those from further afield to enjoy these summer festivals – all using the same site and infrastructure. With one set up and one dismantling, before and after the festival period.
“Whereas, the proposal – to test the concept of locating a Troubadour Theatre to Ealing will be for a temporary but nevertheless more robust structure and infrastructure at the festival site in the park for 3.5 years including set up and dismantling – and if it proves successful which it well may – go elsewhere? If so where?
“During this time the council propose to relocate the summer festivals to various venues – potentially parks – in Ealing’s seven towns – with potentially seven times the set up and dismantling work, disruption and costs. A great idea to celebrate the summer festivals across the borough but has this been thought through:
- will seven parks be affected rather than one?
- will each of the seven towns get to experience the full range of festivals in their town?
- residents and visitors will have to travel further using less well-connected transport links to different venues across the borough – has this been considered?
- who will decide which festival will go where? Local people, or logistics?
- will the council be upfront about the cost savings they may be attributing to this commercial development – as the Troubadour Theatre will cover all cost and pay Ealing Council an undisclosed fee?
“If it is successful – commercially – as it is a commercial rather than a community led initiative – and the concept works well in this location, Walpole Park, what is to stop it either becoming a permanent fixture or for the temporary lease or licence being repeatedly extended.
“Perhaps the cost of relocation of the festival to the seven towns will be prohibitive and we will lose part of this park and some if not all of the summer festivals residents now enjoy, and Ealing can be proud of.
“Why does one new and commercial development have to be at the expense of another local successful community provision? Could it not be in addition to what we have and what already works well. Should not Ealing Council be looking at other sites for this new commercial theatre – a grey or brownfield site in Ealing perhaps in West Ealing that badly needs regeneration of its high street. Local businesses will I am sure welcome a new theatre in Ealing as an addition to the existing provision.
“We have the Questers Theatre nearby and many are concerned for its future should this go ahead. Many local performers and groups are part of the summer festivals. Often being able to perform on a big stage alongside professional artists, performers and musicians as part of the same festival programme; using the same professional standard infrastructure. This boosts confidence, exposes local talent to wider audiences and creates opportunities for Ealing’s many talented local people of all ages. Where is this considered in this ‘concept’ – will Ealing Council be able to replicate this professional festival infrastructure in the seven towns each summer? Will local talented resident have opportunities to perform at this new theatre?
“Finally, in the environmental emergency we are now in and are experiencing first hand; if we are putting anything in parks for long periods of time it should be more trees that are watered and nurtured, so they grow to maturity to help safeguard the environment for residents now and in the future. Ealing’s parks were planted by leaders with a long view and with the benefits of future generations in mind. Where is the environmental impact assessment for this proposal?
“Yes, we can have a new theatre in Ealing – that would be great – but not in Walpole or any other park. Ealing Council need to test the concept in a location where it might become permanent.
“Many Ealing residents have already raised similar concerns and objections. I will, as I suspect they would, recommend to cabinet that they revisit the ‘concept’ they are trying to test – and how it is to be tested and take account of these real and sincere concerns.”
