Extra air conditioning for Nuneaton theatregoers

[dutchman]

Theatregoers in Nuneaton will soon be able to watch productions in even greater comfort.

The town’s only theatre has been granted planning permission to install more air conditioning units.

Six units with external extraction fans are to be sited on the walls of the Abbey Theatre.

They will be on the section of the building in Pool Bank Street which faces the back of the Scout Headquarters.

There had been objections from people living nearby, who were concerned about the noise levels of the units.

They also wanted the times of their use to be restricted and were also worried that the units would make more noise if they were not maintained properly.

Members of the borough council’s planning applications committee were told that the residents’ fears had been addressed.

They unanimously approved the planning application on condition that the units did not operate other than between the hours of 8am and 11.30pm.

Tony Deeming from the Abbey Theatre said that the units are very quiet: “You can stand quite close to them and not hear anything,” he said.

He also pointed out that maintenance work on the units will be carried out every six months.

Mr Deeming said that activity at the theatre can go on until ‘a little after midnight.’ but that the units would be controlled and only be used when they are needed.

Cllr Keith Kondakor said that the planning application had been ‘quite well thought out,’ but said he would prefer it if the units were only in operation from 8am until 11.30pm.

The popular theatre has been the home for more than a quarter of a century of the acclaimed Abbey Players and hosts several productions each year.

Manned almost entirely by volunteers, the theatre has a 250-seat tiered auditorium with extra space for wheelchair users, two rehearsal rooms and a licensed bar.

During term times the building is used daily by students from King Edward VI Sixth Form College.