Angry members of a West Lothian Burlesque group have joined local amateur actors to take up the fight against the proposed closure of Howden Park Centre.
Members of Livingston Players and Saltire Burlesque met with Hannah Bardell MP on Wednesday night after hearing the “devastating” news the theatre and beloved community facility could close, along with three leisure centres.
Shock proposals were announced by owners West Lothian Leisure to shut Xcite Armadale, Xcite Broxburn Swimming Pool, Xcite Livingston and Howden Park Centre in Livingston to save money.
But a massive fightback has been launched from the public since the plans were revealed, with several petitions launched that attracted thousands of signatures in a matter of hours while a Gofundme page has also been set up.
The Saltire and Livingston Players members have also formed the ‘Hands off Howden Park’ group and a protest is being held outside the Civic Centre at 10am on Tuesday in Livingston.
A second rally will also be held on Saturday, May 13 outside Howden Park Centre with a protest parade making its way to the Civic Centre and town centre from between 1pm and 2.30pm.
Karyn Hamilton, director of Saltire Burlesque Academy, said the hastily arranged meeting was held to discuss what could be done to save the “valued music and arts venues.”
She said: “It’s such an amazing venue that means so much to both groups that we felt we had to unite to try and save the venue. We have a facebook page Hands Off Howden Park.
“We are hoping we can join together to ensure Howden Park Centre continues to flourish and provide access to high quality culture, arts and live performances for generations to come.
“We feel we need to act quickly as a community to take action so we hope you will be willing to be part of this group effort to take shape over the coming weeks and add voices from across West Lothian.
“We have setup a Facebook page which we’d encourage local groups to follow, like and share as this will be a main space to coordinate group interests.
“There are also nearly at 4500 on the petition and the Gofundme page has had a few donations. I’m hoping people come along next Tuesday and also that we have a good turn out on the 13th.
“There is far too much for the community to lose if they close this place, it’s not just a building it’s a community within itself.”
Visit the Hands of Howden Park Facebook page here and sign the petition here
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