Longer Lido season and Christmas shows at Key Theatre proposed

The Key Theatre – while closed to the general public, was available throughout the summer for pre-arranged summer schools and has been running cinema events in a socially distanced way. A full re-opening date is to be confirmed

The Lido did not open this summer for the first time in 84 years due to the coronavirus pandemic, despite an offer of £10,000 from former Peterborough City Council leader John Peach.

The Key Theatre has also been closed to the general public.

Council cabinet member for housing, culture and recreation Cllr Steve Allen spoke about both facilities in an interview with the Peterborough Telegraph ahead of leisure centres, libraries, heritage and arts services currently run by Vivacity being transferred to two city council-run bodies - City College Peterborough and Peterborough Limited - at the end of the month.

Cllr Allen said: “There is talk of the Lido opening for a longer season next year. That would be a positive update.

“Our policy is to get what we can open, and the things which are not opening, when they do re-open, should be bigger and better.

“The idea is to make things better for the citizens of Peterborough if we can.”

He added: “We are hoping to get the Key Theatre open for Christmas. That was threatened in many people’s minds.

“We won’t be able to do a pantomime this year because the preparation side has been impacted during the closure, but Christmas-style events, Christmas-style entertainment.

“We will give people reason to go out - we have to be very careful about social distancing, but it would be Covid-safe. A lot of people are waiting for the Key to open I’m quite sure.”

On the Christmas theme, he also noted: “I would certainly being looking to put up some kind of Christmas decorations in our city. It’s what people expect and people deserve.”

Speaking about the theatre scene in general, Cllr Allen said: “I think what has happened during Covid, it has come to the realisation of the operators of the three theatres that we have in Peterborough that they must work together because competing with each other in a reduced market place makes no sense.

“I’m really encouraged and heartened by the way they have now engaged with each other and I see going forward that the Cresset, the Key and the New Theatre will work together to make sure there is a better offer for everyone in Peterborough.”

This is one of a four-part interview with Cllr Allen about the future of Peterborough’s culture and leisure scene.

Further articles will appear at www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk.