Unfortunately times have changed. In the 1960s I saw the Rolling Stones and other big name groups in venues a fraction the size of the Fairfield. We can’t go back to that. What we do need is a venue fit for the 21st Century hosting a 21st Century line up.

In the last couple of years I have seen Status Quo, Jimmy Carr, Russian State ballet and others live as well as direct broadcast of Hamlet. Theatre was near full. Apparently there are too few nights when this happens, not least because top class acts don’t want to come to a down-at-heel venue.

A complete closure means it will be very hard to get acts in both now and when the theatre restarts. There will be greater lost revenue at these times which will be much less of a problem if the theatre is kept partly open. There are also the knock on effects on the night-time economy. If I don’t go to the theatre I don’t eat out beforehand, pay for parking, etc. This is without mentioning redundancy costs now and rehiring and training later.

When defending their decision Councillors do not address the central issue, which is that I cannot see a proper business decision has been made and compared with the alternative of keeping part of the venue working. I do not know what is the right decision but my impression is that the Council doesn’t either.

The complete closure option minimises capital expenditure which seems to be the Council priority, but they are paid to make a decision for the whole of Croydon.

Also, its interesting that the plan is to have the new entrance facing across College Green, when rumours are about that Croydon College are considering a re-development that involves building over College Green. That’ll go down well!