Live Q&A with Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh gave me big ideas for regenerating Derby

Julie Hesmondhalgh, a keen activist who campaigns for greater access to the arts, is known for picking thought-provoking roles that tackle important issues, pushing taboo subjects into the mainstream.

She is also one of the founding members of the Take Back Theatre Collective, an artistic response to the politics of austerity.

She spearheaded a campaign that saw Oldham Coliseum being saved from permanent closure, and it was this aspect that drew me to the event.

I wanted to hear first-hand how Julie helped her local community.

I am seeing too many places that form the backbone of a community, either close down, or fight for survival in a difficult trading environment.

DerbyWorld covered news that Derby QUAD, one of the city’s top creative venues is a charity facing ‘serious financial difficulty.’ It remains open and operational, but it needs public support.

Within a matter of eight days, another top Derby venue platforming creative talent, The Hound Dog on Friar Gate, announced ‘financial losses so great’ that its only option was to close with immediate effect on Tuesday July 16, 2024.

I wanted to hear about Julie’s motivation that saved her beloved theatre from closure.

Speaking about galvanising support for the Oldham Coliseum campaign, Julie said: “I love that theatre, we were just devastated by the loss of it.

“It was a group of Oldham-ers who met every fortnight, in a little room, above an Italian restaurant in the centre of Oldham, that had been really, really suffering.

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“The new Labour government is certainly invested in arts and culture, but within their manifesto, it’s very much philanthropy based, corporate sponsorship, it has be public funded.

“If you’re one of the jewels in the crown of British culture, like Royal Opera House or National Theatre, it’s easier to get philanthropic help - when you’re Oldham Coliseum, it’s less straightforward.

“Oldham town centre - I’m sure Derby felt this when Derby Theatre closed - it has a huge effect on the entire town.

“Because when people come to the theatre, they want somewhere to go for a drink, somewhere to eat, somewhere to stay.

“Any regeneration programme in any struggling town starts with art and culture.”

What can we do?

Something must be done to help these venues.

I know I can do better. The Hound Dog is a place that I wish I could have made time to visit.

Life gets in the way, and I will definitely be more conscious in the future of visiting all those places I keep meaning to visit.

As they say, ‘If you don’t use it, you lose it.’ This may sound somewhat crass, but it is true.

Derby Counts is a cool campaign that aims to support local businesses, entrepreneurs and institutions.

Myself and the Derby World team want to shine a much-deserved spotlight on local businesses making a difference in the community.

If you’d like to be involved with Derby Counts, please email [email protected] we can’t wait to hear from you.