9:03am Monday 5th July 2010
By Jim Entwistle
THE founder of a threatened North-East music venue said last night he was “blown away” by the public reaction to the news of its impending closure.
The Forum music centre, in Borough Road, Darlington, is likely to close in September because Darlington Borough Council is unwilling to offer an unsecured £80,000 loan.
The money would enable the not-for-profit centre to access £110,000 through development agency One North East.
But, after the news was made public on Friday, thousands joined online groups and signed petitions in support of the Forum.
Dave Cox, who founded the music centre, said: “It’s absolutely phenomenal. I’m so flattered by the public support.
The depth of feeling is incredible and everyone has expressed it as one voice.”
Ashleigh Trevarrow, founder and chairwoman of the Forum’s successful Newblood events for 14 to 17-yearolds, described the council’s decision as “the worst thing that could possibly happen”.
She added: “Over the past three years, we have had 10,000 young people through the doors. It will affect so many people.”
Miss Trevarrow, 19, a former youth member of parliament for Darlington, said: “The Forum is a starting ground for careers, for friendships, and even for marriages.
Darlington just wouldn’t be the same without it.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Barker said: “On the face of it, the sums required do not seem excessive in view of the return our community receives from it.”
Shaun Campbell, founder of the Arthur Wharton Foundation to promote the memory of the world’s first black professional footballer, who also played for Darlington, said: “I thought this council was forward thinking, but this is such a backward step for social cohesion. It would be a very bad move to let the Forum go under.”
Mr Cox paid tribute to Allison McKay, a fellow board member, who is working to secure the future of the Forum, and to all the staff.
A spokeswoman for the council said the authority had worked closely with Mr Cox and had always provided a high level of support. She said that while it could provide a secured loan, with no risk to the taxpayer, the authority could not justify risking £80,000 on an unsecured loan to make the organisation a community interest company, as is Mr Cox’s wish.
■ See The Northern Echo tomorrow for letters from readers about the closure of The Forum.
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