A LETTER asking borough councillors to save the Haymarket Theatre from closure is now available on the internet for residents to download.

As reported in The Gazette on Thursday, September 13, theatre staff have been handing out copies of a letter that people can sign and send to their ward member protesting against plans for the venue.

In July, the borough council's Cabinet backed a plan of action that will see the theatre close from January to September 2007, before reopening under the management of The Anvil Trust.

After protests from several borough councillors, spearheaded by Labour councillors Sean Keating and Andrew McCormick, this decision was reviewed at a marathon meeting of the council's scrutiny committee on September 7, and now full council will also have their say on October 12.

Theatre staff and councillors protesting against the move are hoping to rally more support for their cause by using the letters to urge borough councillors to vote in their favour at next month's meeting.

A website has now been created where residents can download the letter, which is also available from the Haymarket box office, and find contact details for their local ward member.

Councillor McCormick said: "It won't take two minutes, but it could mean the world of difference to the town. It really will help."

He added: "On so many levels the Cabinet's decision just does not stack up. For example, they plan to spend £500,000 to close and merge the Haymarket. That is the equivalent of 10 per cent of the council tax we pay."

The Haymarket saga was sparked in February when Arts Council England, South East (ACESE) chiefs said the Haymarket would not receive a key funding grant in 2007-08.

The Gazette launched a Save Our Haymarket campaign and theatre bosses have since battled to keep borough council funding and persuade ACESE to do a u-turn.

To download the letter, visit dontcloseit.googlepages.com