Far-right riots force library and theatre closures

Violent disorder in Liverpool over the weekend has led to a library and community hub being set alight, as part of six days of demonstrations in towns and cities across the UK. 

On Saturday (3 August), Spellow Hub Library was targeted by a crowd of some 300 people “intent on committing serious violence and disorder," according to Merseyside Police. The rioters caused damage, started fires and impeded firefighters trying to tackle the blaze.

Cultural leaders and organisations have condemned the destruction of the library, which reopened last year following a community-led makeover to improve accessibility and services, funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

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Arts Council England CEO Darren Henley called the actions of the rioters “terrible mindless destruction”, adding that “libraries are places of safety, knowledge, learning and opportunity".

Liverpool Council Leader Liam Robinson said the damage to the building, which hosts a programme of summer holiday activities for families and children, was "absolutely heartbreaking”.

“This is a facility that, despite austerity, we have invested in to try and create a positive hub for the local community, which gives opportunities and support to what is a deprived community," he said. “We will be determined to restore the facility for the community.”

An online fundraiser for the library has so far raised over £70k.

'Upsetting scenes'

Elsewhere, outbreaks of rioting led to the cancellation of performances at venues in Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland and Plymouth.

Theatre Royal Plymouth has cancelled its Monday evening performance of The Devil Wears Prada and a producing workshop scheduled for 5 August ahead of a planned gathering in the city centre to prioritise "the safety of our audience members, staff and performers".

Sunderland Empire postponed two nights of performances following unrest in the city over the weekend (2 and 3 August). ATG Entertainment, which runs the venue, said it had “regrettably” decided to postpone Mania – The Abba Tribute and The ELO Experience despite putting in place "comprehensive plans” to ensure the safety of audiences. 

The Fire Station, a Sunderland music venue and home to the Northern Academy of Music Education, was also impacted. Writing on Instagram, the venue said it was "incredibly saddened to see the upsetting scenes in our city," which damaged its outdoor performance area. 

In Stoke-on-Trent, the children's group SCDC Dance School cancelled the last of three performances at the Regent Theatre after a nearby demonstration became violent, leading to 10 arrests.

The venue was put in lockdown as protesters gathered nearby, leaving the hundreds of performers, some as young as six, “terrified”, according to a report from the BBC.

SCDC's manager, Katie Tonkin Beardmore, said: "It was very tense for us, but we were trying to keep it cool for these guys because they were still dancing on that stage."

When the noise from the protest became audible inside the venue, "the doors were locked, security had everyone in one room together, and the safety curtain came down," she said.

Rioters, who Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as "far-right thugs", have claimed their actions are protests following the murder of three girls at a dance event in Southport on last week (29 July).

Tonkin Beardmore said organisers were mindful of the incident, adding: "It hits hard thinking it has to do with dance as well, and then we're all here."