South Beds confirms Cali shows must cease

South Bedfordshire District Council has responded to growing anger over the decision to axe the popular Cali-R event from the Grove Theatre.

Council bosses have issued a statement backing the decision to end the show.

The ten-year-old Cali-R event had traditionally been held two or three times a year at Dunstable Leisure Centre, before making a triumphant debut at the Grove Theatre shortly after it opened in April.

The show aims to give party-goers the chance to meet old friends and dance to the music they enjoyed at the California Ballroom in the 1960s and 1970s.

But last month we revealed how theatre management company Leisure Connections had told Cali-R organiser Sid Hudson that the show could not be held there any more.

Mr Hudson has since campaigned to get the event reinstated at the theatre and Cali-R members have started up petitions to keep it there.

But South Bedfordshire District Council has backed Leisure Connection and released a statement in light of his campaign.

It said: 'The first point we should make is that we have explained to Mr Hudson that Leisure Connection is contracted by South Bedfordshire District Council to manage the day-to-day running of the Grove Theatre.

'Although this council has no direct management responsibility for the Grove Theatre, we feel it important, however, to respond to the points Mr Hudson has been making via local media.

'In our reply letter to him we explained that while the Grove Theatre is a magnificent venue for all the people of South Bedfordshire as well as visitors to the area, the facility was never intended to be an exact replica replacement for the old Queensway Hall.

'While we understand why Mr Hudson would want to use The Grove, the council agrees with Leisure Connection that some events are simply not suitable to be hosted in the new theatre, because they are essentially events for which the space and equipment in the theatre are not really appropriate and that can raise health and safety issues.'

Mr Hudson said: "The Grove Theatre has been designed to host a concert such as mine.

"Overall it is far more spacious and would cause fewer health and safety problems.

"The only production the Grove's management is willing to put on is a fully seated one, with Leisure Connection in full control of the programme.

"Around 1,700 people have signed various petitions with regards to Leisure Connection's decision and the number is rising rapidly.

"The council fully supports Leisure Connection, which I hope voters will remember at next local elections."