Birmingham's Library and Repertory Theatre is to be used for temporary courtrooms as the Government takes steps to alleviate pressure on the court system and tackle outstanding cases. The Birmingham venues are starting to hear cases this week, with more venues due to open by the end of January, when the total number of Nightingale Courts will reach 40.
A statement on The Rep's website says the decision was a financial one, "made in the context of exceptional circumstances". It says: "The Government's Job Retention Scheme, Arts Council Emergency Fund and Culture Recovery Fund have provided very welcome additional funding, but only until March 2021. We have reduced our costs, closed our building for a prolonged period and downsized our staff team, losing 50+ valued members of staff across the REP and its trading companies."
The courts will hear civil, family and tribunals work as well as non-custodial crime cases; sentencing will not take place on site. They will occupy two of the three theatre spaces and associated meeting rooms in the theatre and library, with the largest theatre and all backstage and office areas retained for staff. Events will continue to be staged throughout this period, as performances will not take place at the same time as the courts are in use.
But The Rep has been accused of 'breaking trust' for doing a deal to lease its building to the Ministry of Justice and an ensuing social media storm has seen them accused of racism and alienating staff, audiences and the cultural workforce.
One Twitter post said: "Turning community art spaces into courtrooms is violence. Much harm is done to people in the court system, and so it removes the theatre from being a space of safety for those oppressed and marginalised". Another commented: "No words can express the heartbreak & the breaking of Trust I feel RN. No organisation can claim to be anti racist if (sic) they uphold the very fabric of systematic racial oppression. Remove your statements they are false."
But others defended the move - one saying: "I don't understand the backlash. Having worked for the court service I no (sic) how the situation is for families. Cases hopefully will be heard quicker and the rep getting much needed funds. I say well done in diversifying."
The Rep has taken to Twitter to "condemn outright" all threats of violence against individuals who have spoken out about their decision regarding the use of the building. They said: "We hear and respect each and every opinion and will respond".