Amphitheatre 'undermined' by £65 fee for use

Town councillors have criticised a council for charging for free public events to be held at a new amphitheatre.

Run by Somerset Council, the Triangle in Yeovil opened in January, but has played host to only a limited number of events, with the site's fountain and giant TV screen currently out of operation.

Yeovil town councillors Adrian Wilkes and Tareth Casey have criticised Somerset Council for attempting to charge £64.59 for holding a town crier event, arguing it "completely undermines the very reason the Triangle was built".

Somerset Council said it charges a flat rate to all free public events in the town centre and a separate quote was provided for the town crier event.

It also said while a switch-on date for the fountain would be confirmed, the TV screen was due to go live on 18 June, reported the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Venting his frustrations on his official Facebook page following a discussion with town council chief executive Amanda Card the day before, Wilkes said: "Despite the investment from central government into our town's Yeovil Refresh project, the 'owner' of our town centre (Somerset Council) is charging Yeovil Town Council to use the Triangle to hold civic events."

"Why is Somerset Council charging the people of Yeovil to use our town to hold our civic events, in places paid for by central government?," he questioned.

Meanwhile, Casey said he had "raised serious concerns with the leader of Somerset Council" about the lack of use of the Triangle.

"This space was redeveloped using millions of pounds from the government's Future High Streets Fund, with a clear purpose: to host events, performances, and community gatherings and bring life back into the town centre. Yet despite being officially opened, nothing has happened there.

"This was public money, invested in a public space, for public benefit. It should be free and accessible for local groups and community events – not caught up in red tape and hidden charges," he added.

A Somerset Council spokesperson said it currently charged the flat rate of £64.59 (inclusive of VAT) for the hire of their open spaces.

"This administration fee helps to cover officer time spent on issuing the permit and supporting the event," they said.

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