The next music director of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) has waded into the debate over the two-year closure of Fairfield Halls by calling for a phased redevelopment of the venue.
Sir Simon Rattle, currently the artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic, has written an open letter criticising Croydon Council's plans to close Fairfield in the face of a "huge number concerns surrounding the longevity of this superb building".
The venue is scheduled to shut down in July for a two-year, £30m redevelopment.
But campaigners are concerned that Croydon's cultural scene will be irrevocably harmed by the closure.
In his letter yesterday, Sir Simon, who will take over at the LSO in September 2017, wrote: "By closing this hall and leaving it to the fate of unclear, unsure redevelopment plans, we lose a centre of creativity covering a whole range of artistic events, not only in my own sphere of classical music, but concerts of music genres, family events, comedy and so on."
Echoing the calls of the vocal Save Our Fairfield (SOF) campaign, Sir Simon claims there is "no significant reason why the improvements cannot be made slowly over time whilst maintaining the use of the hall as much as possible, thereby continuing its significant role in the lives of local people and wider audiences".
Sir Simon Rattle Fairfield Halls letter.pdf
Since the redevelopment plans were announced last year, Croydon Council's Labour leadership has maintained a phased refurbishment of the venue is not possible because it would add an extra £4m in costs to the project.
In an emailed response to Sir Simon's letter, councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, acknowledged the conductor's "enormous influence in the classical world".
But he said: "Unfortunately words of support are more easily obtained than hard cash to make the Fairfield suitable for current and future demands."
Without the help of outside funding, Cllr Godfrey said, a phased refurbishment "is just not realistic".
Sir Simon's letter comes just weeks after high-profile interventions from violinist Nigel Kennedy and national advisory body the Theatre's Trust, both of which called on the council to reconsider its plans for a full closure.
And last week campaigners released a video showing young people in Croydon pleading to keep the venue open.
"Two Years Is Too Long" features dozens of children and teenagers reciting a speech protesting against the closure, first made by lead SOF campaigner Andy Hylton at a recent Croydon Council meeting.
The video is the latest tactic in SOF's ongoing battle with Croydon Council over plans to shut Fairfield.
In his speech, Mr Hylton said the “cost of getting back” Fairfield’s reputation and the expertise of 70 full-time staff after a two-year closure “will far outweigh the cost of a phased refurbishment”.
RELATED: Singing protesters gather at Croydon town hall to protest Fairfield Halls closure
The use of young people in the video, filmed around the venue and nearby Croydon College, chimes with one of the campaign's central arguments: that losing Fairfield would significantly reduce the number of cultural activities available to schoolchildren in Croydon.
One of those filmed says: "We believe every child should have a chance to enjoy the arts as part of growing up."
What do you think? Email letters@croydonguardian.co.uk
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