A GROUP of dedicated representatives from town groups is making plans to ensure Redditch does not lose out on art and drama when the Palace Theatre closes for a massive refurbishment.

At a Redditch Arts Forum meeting last week Chris Hill, the council's cultural development services manager, said exciting times lay ahead for Redditch people and the closure of the theatre from May for many months did not have to mean the loss of any arts in the town.

The forum has representatives from Redditch Arts Council, Worcestershire Racial Equality Council (WREC), Kingsley College, Community Arts Festival Event (CAF), Redditch Council, Jestaminute Theatre Company and several others.

Malcolm Hall, from CAF, said two years ago he had seen an excellent outdoors performance at Stratford, which had taken place under a marquee and suggested Redditch could have similar performances.

Alternative performance areas suggested by the forum were Arrow Valley Park, the Abbey Stadium, in the grounds of Forge Mill Museum and the town centre outdoor market when it is closed to traders in the evening.

Members also suggested not abandoning the Palace's seasonal What's On booklet but instead of theatre events, list all the art, drama and music events being put on by other groups and organisations throughout the town.

Mr Hall said if events such as outdoor performances proved popular, the group could look at gathering funding to keep them going when the Palace reopened for business after the refurbishment.