THE SHOW will no longer go on at the Arc Theatre in Trowbridge for west Wiltshire amateur drama, comedy, dance and musical theatre groups.

They have shared their devastation at the decision to stop them from hiring the Arc Theatre in College Road to stage shows.

But the theatre has now said that the ban on external groups booking the theatre is only intended as a temporary measure - something the groups did not appear to be aware of.

A Wiltshire College and University Centre spokesman said: “Due to staff changes we are unable to accept external group bookings for the Arc Theatre.

“Once our position changes, we will reopen the facilities for groups wishing to use the space. This has not affected any of our creative arts courses, which continue to use the Arc.”

Over the last two decades, the Arc has been the host venue for Trowbridge drama groups Footlights, Trowbridge Players and TAOS Musical Theatre to bring their shows to the stage.

The Arc Theatre, built in 1998, is within the Trowbridge campus of Wiltshire College and University Centre and is described as a modern professional theatre venue that seats 150 people.

The theatre complex has provided groups with a versatile space which offered facilities and performance space way beyond any other building in the area. 

Keeping it available to hire to external groups was an asset as it could be used out of college hours to generate extra income. 

Co-producers of the Footlights dance group, who have put on pantomimes at the Arc Theatre since 2004, tried to book it for their planned pantomime next November.

Show organisers, mother and daughter Caroline and Ellen Wilkinson, said they were extremely saddened that they could not.

Mrs Wilkinson said: “The Arc Theatre provided an opportunity for many local people to come together and work together as a community which promoted Trowbridge and Wiltshire College.”

Ellen, who is taking over the reins of producing shows from her mum, said: “The Arc theatre was an ideal size for local audiences allowing them to support local groups without the need to travel to larger towns/cities. 

“This in turn, along with any newspaper coverage for local productions, kept the profile of the Arc Theatre and of course Wiltshire College in the forefront of people’s minds. 

“For many people, this was the only theatre they got the opportunity to go to. There are other arts venues in Trowbridge, but the Arc was the only purpose-built theatre. It therefore helped to bring people into the town and put Trowbridge on the map.”

They are now searching for a suitable venue in the town without success. 

Ellen said: “We approached The Civic but unfortunately the hire price is far too expensive and has appeared to be unsuitable for our purposes. It’s a shame Trowbridge being the county town has not got a suitable theatre, yet Frome has two.”

Trowbridge Musical Theatre, who had planned a concert, said: “It is with great sadness we must announce the postponement of our planned concert as the Arc Theatre have cancelled our booking.”

Trowbridge Players also put out a message on their website stating the Arc have cancelled bookings for outside groups. 

Their message read: “We are now an amateur theatre group without a home theatre available to us.”