Letter: Theatre great; parking costs not
Monday 3rd August 2009, 8:00AM BST.
Letter: Before Theatre Severn opened, my wife and I joined a group on a conducted tour of the theatre backstage. I had become irritated by letters referring to the “garden shed” or “that monstrosity” in Frankwell.
So then feeling the theatre to be long overdue in our county town, I subscribed to the Friends of Theatre Severn and booked for several various performances.
I have yet to be disappointed by any show but I did expect to be a little bored by Le Grand Cirque Fantazie recently. I was not.
The audience didn’t have time to be bored.
The performance by those on stage was mind-boggling for its skill, super energy and daring.
The special effects too must surely rate this theatre as the place to be for top rate shows. The Chapel Bar, restaurant and toilet facilities are a joy to use and the view from the long window overlooking the Severn and town at sunset is a visual masterpiece.
Some say it’s too expensive but surely if you want quality then you have to pay for it.
The restaurateurs are rising to the challenge with their pre-performance meals raising the status of Frankwell, so why is Shrewsbury Council so mean and miserable?
Parking is 8am to 8pm, half an hour after most performances begin, so with a meal that’s a couple of hours parking at £2 to £3.
Could there not be a concession for theatregoers? Shame on you council, congratulations Theatre Severn.
D L Young
Church Stretton
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Well, D.L.Young, you said it yourself in your letter: “Some say it’s too expensive but surely if you want quality then you have to pay for it.”
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D L Young – perhaps it is the Councils way of trying to get people to use the wonderful public transport. The extra car parking charges they are collecting can go towards helping to subsidise the Theatre that you think is so wonderful !
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Why should theatre goers be subsidised?
I use Franwell carpark everyday as I work in town and I don’t get subsidised.
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Great inside, outside not so great. Decaying strips of wood are not attractive.
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If the letter writer thinks it is expensive?? hardly going to break the bank is it?? it is also not stratford is it? it is on par with argos if it was a high street shop.As for the car parks they should be free at night and should be fitted with machines that in 2009 can give you change owwwwwwww but think of how much the parking fees would be then ?.
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I agree with DL Young. I’ve been to the theatre a few times and think it’s a real boost for the town. Personally, I don’t bother getting a car park ticket at all! What’s the point if it’s only for half an hour? It would be better to pay a £1 to park in the evenings, then I’d pay.
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So lets get this straight……the writer can afford numerous trips to theatre, membership to theatre friends, a meal out and drinks in the theatre bar yet begrudges paying for parking.
I would recommend that the writer actually reads the parking charge signage before they complain. Parking at that time costs £1 all night!
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its free after 8pm in all council car parks
plus the wardens only work 9 to 5 anyway
SO what are you lot on about ??????????????????
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The Theatre is great for shrewsbury town, but the location in frankwell is not so good, the parking is a real problem the council needs to sort it out, what with council employee’s trying to park as well as the public. When you buy a show ticket it should come with a free parking voucher as other theatre’s do.
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Went into Shrewsbury last night for a curry. Arrived at 07:40 pm. The car park in Greyfriars was £2:50 up to 08:00pm so I just waited in my car for the twenty minutes as i wasn’t going to pay £2:50 for the privilege of parking my car for 20 mins! Daylight robbery!
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In reply to no 9 – Mr Andrew Jones, why should Theatre goers receive free parking, the Theatre is receiving large financial support from people of the Country, just put the cost of car parking onto the price of the ticket !!
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