Below you will find some of the more frequently asked questions about the new entertainment venue, along with their answers.
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Q1: How big is the new venue?
A: The total area of the new venue is around 5,700m2. This compares to the former Baths Hall that had a total floor area of around 4,900m2. However, 450m2 of this was a generally unusable basement area.
The public areas of the new venue are on the ground and first floor, together with kitchen facilities and backstage areas. Technical areas for lighting and sound equipment etc. are on the second and third floors.
The main auditorium, the highest part of the building, is around 17 metres high. It is set back from the front and rear of the building by around 10 to 12 metres. It will accommodate up to 2,000 people standing or 1.024 seated.
In a unique feature in this region, the stalls seating can be folded down and slid in multiple sections under the stage to transform the ground floor into an open space suitable for dancing (at events such as Motown Club Soul Sounds on 2 December and Chris Dean's Syd Lawrence Orchestra on 20 November). Back to questions
Q2: What parts of the former Baths Hall has been kept?
A: The 1930's frontage and part of the building behind it has been retained. It will be used as an administration suite (NB – the ticket office is in new part of building so admin not exclusively in retained structure). Back to questions
Q3: Why has the council built a new venue, and what was wrong with the old Baths Hall?
A: The previous venue was in very poor condition and was not fit for purpose. The accommodation it provided for both the audience and performers were well below an acceptable standard. This meant it was really difficult to get audiences and performers to come to the Baths Hall - not like it was in its hey-day.
The new entertainment venue will provide a venue that the council believes the people of North Lincolnshire need and deserve. It is also already attracting major acts to the area.
There are other reasons for doing it e.g. it will really help to regenerate the Doncaster Road area and boost the local economy. Back to questions
Q4: What is the new venue made of?
A: The building consists of a steel frame clad, with block work, glass and coloured wall panels. The roof is metal sheeting. The existing pool bases have been left in place and a new permanent floor has been built over it. But, unlike the old Baths Hall, the pool bases are under storage areas and the toilets, not the main auditorium. Back to questions
Q5: How much did the new venue cost to build?
A: Around £14.4-million. Back to questions
Q6: Where did the money come from - the council taxpayer?
A: The money the council has invested came from its 'Capital Development Programme' that is funded via various grants, external and internal sources.
No specific extra charge is being made to council taxpayers in North Lincolnshire to pay for the council's investment in the new venue. Back to questions
Q7: What sort of acts will be on at the new venue?
A: A fantastic variety of popular acts that will appeal to all ages and tastes, including Bill Bailey, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Peppa Pig, Kate Rusby, the Circus of Horrors, DrumChasers and much more. There will also be local groups such as the Scunthorpe Choral society. Back to questions
Q8: Could I have my children's birthday party or wedding reception there?
A: Definitely. The new venue has various rooms to accommodate most uses. In addition to things like birthday parties, the new venue will be available for conferencing and exhibitions, events such as weddings and 'black tie' dinners together with wider community use for festivals, presentations and local clubs etc.
It is truly a multi-purpose entertainment venue. Back to questions
Q9: Where are people expected to park?
A: People with disabilities, staff and performers will have on-site parking. People arriving by car to attend events at the new venue will be able to park in council owned car parks in Deyne Avenue, Allanby Street, Dunstall Street, Mary Street, West Street and Robert Street. All of these car parks are less than a 10-minute walk away. We've made sure that there is enough space at these car parks to avoid them being overused.
All car parks are free after 6pm with the exception of the Parishes.
For people who are environmentally conscious and who may choose not to use a car, the site is well served by bus routes and the area has a good cycle and pedestrian network. There will be secure cycle parking provided within the site. The new venue is less than one mile from the railway station, so people coming from out of town can realistically get to the venue without having to use a car.
As a result of all of the above, we don't think people who live nearby will have major problems trying to find a space to park near their homes. Back to questions
Q10: What about the noise from the building and people leaving?
A: The council has worked with acoustic engineers to make sure the building is 'soundproofed' enough so that any noise resulting from performances won't have an adverse affect on local residents.
The Architect has also designed the building so that people leave near the front of the site and not from areas next to people's houses. Back to questions
Q11: When did work start on-site and when was it completed?
A: Work started on the new building in April 2010 and was completed in October 2011
Demolition and remediation work (site clean up due to former use as gasworks) was completed in early 2009. Back to questions
Q12: Will the building be lit up at night?
A: Yes. Similar to the noise issue, we have worked with specialist engineers to ensure this does not adversely impact on local residents. Back to questions
Q13: Will the building be environmentally friendly?
A: We're making the building as environmentally friendly as possible within the limits of feasibility.
Features include:
A 100 per cent renewable fuel source (bio diesel) CHP plant is incorporated into the design for the building that will generate around 16 per cent of the predicted energy demand from wholly renewable sources.
A rainwater harvesting system is installed for use in the lavatories.
Lighting and heating levels can be set at different levels in various zones within the building so that areas not in use are not unnecessarily lit or heated
Lights in administration areas with no public access are operated by movement sensor, so turn off whenever a room is unoccupied.
The building is expected to achieve a BREEAM 'very good' rating. Back to questions
Q14: What about security and people getting in at night?
A: The Architect has already considered this and has made sure that the building has good natural surveillance and that roofs etc. are not easy to access by unauthorised people. The building has CCTV internally and externally. All is in addition to the usual preventative measures such as intruder alarms etc.
Humberside Police building security experts have been involved in the design to ensure it is as safe and secure as it can be. The whole of the site is secured with fencing and gates. In addition to this, there will be 'event security' as and when it is required.
We want to do all we can to make sure people using the new venue will be as safe as possible. Back to questions
Q15: Will there be any landscaping, trees or a garden in the area?
A: There will be some high quality planting around the perimeter of the site and there is public open space to the west side of the site. Back to questions
Q16: How much income is it estimated The Baths Hall will bring into Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire?
A: The Baths Hall will benefit people and business in Scunthorpe, attracting substantial and frequent audiences and other users of the new venue into the area, with additional spend for local shops and hospitality venues in the vicinity. Back to questions
Q17: How long is SMG-Europe committed to operating The Baths Hall for?
A: The current agreement with North Lincolnshire Council runs for 15 years. Back to questions
Q18: What is the future of The Plowright Theatre when The Baths Hall opens?
A: Two theatres can and will thrive.
The Baths Hall and The Plowright Theatre are distinctive venues and shows will be programmed to make the most of both venues individual features.
The programmes will also compliment each other, and we can look at bringing an even wider range of artists to North Lincolnshire. Back to questions
Q19: SMG Europe is based in Manchester – why wasn't a local company chosen to run The Baths Hall? SMG does not have the local knowledge to make The Baths Hall a venue for the community – they are only in it for the money.
A: The council followed a strict procurement process and assessed the tenders based on achieving the ‘most economically advantageous tender’. This evaluates tenders based on price and quality.
SMG come with an impressive background in the entertainment business and are experts in the field of entertainment, having managed venues ranging from the biggest arenas to more intimate theatres. In 2009, SMG achieved gross ticket sales of over £100m. Their portfolio includes the Bridgewater Hall – Manchester’s iconic international venue, arenas, theatres, amphitheatre, and educational science centres.
SMG is no stranger to the stars, having presented internationally acclaimed artists including Jamie Cullum, Jack Jones, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Peter Kay and Kasabian. Back to questions
Q20: When will the catering facilities in The Baths Hall be operational and what will they be used for?
A: The catering facilities will be operational from early 2012 and will be used as part of our offer for the majority of events.
The programme of works for the building – completed in just 17 months – focused on getting the venue ready to deliver its core services and we look forward to adding a modern catering facility to The Baths Hall in a few months time. Back to questions
Q21: Will local hotels lose business with The Baths Hall offering conference and events facilities?
A: There are great local facilities but once you get over a certain capacity (NB approx over 50 attending) people are taking their events outside of the area. There is now a venue on their doorstep, which can accommodate larger events in superb surroundings. Back to questions
Q22: Which theatres in the region are The Baths Hall main competitors?
A: We are different to the other venues – as they are different to us. We're offering a mix of shows at The Baths Hall you can't see elsewhere, in a new venue with all the benefits (you can see today) that offers. Back to questions
Q23: How far do you think people will travel to see shows at The Baths Hall?
A: We are confident of attracting audiences from across Lincolnshire, the Humber region and Yorkshire at the very least, especially as word spreads about what a great night out The Baths Hall has to offer. Back to questions
Q24: Will there be a new box office phone number for The Baths Hall?
A: People can keep using the familiar number 0844 854 2776 to buy tickets. Back to questions
Q25: What is the best way for people to buy tickets for shows at the Baths Hall?
A: The Baths Hall box office opens on November 11. Tickets can be bought now – and in the future – from the Scunthorpe Theatres website, by telephoning 0844 854 2776 or also in person from the box office at The Plowright Theatre. Back to questions
Q26: How are ticket sales going overall? Is the first night sold out?
A: Ticket sales are going very well. We're looking forward to a hugely successful opening night and a great reception for Bill Bailey. Back to questions
Q27: Are you ready for opening night?
A: We are. The venue, as you can see, is looking fantastic and all the staff will be raring to go come Friday night. Back to questions
Q28: Have you had any complaints yet? /Any positive comments?
A: There's lots of excitement, and high expectations, including from all the people who are working here.
And it is vitally important to us to find out what people think about The Baths Hall. We'd like people who come to our shows to tell us what they think – what they liked and what they think we can do better.
We want our neighbours, people who live nearby and local business to tell us if we are benefiting them, or if we are causing any issues for them.
The Baths Hall will only be a true success by being part of Scunthorpe. We'll never be the old Scunthorpe Youth Hall and Baths with all the fantastic memories that amazing building held, but we are working very hard to make the new Baths Hall a place we can all be proud of and enjoy. And a place to create new memories. Back to questions