Following the success of a public meeting which saw the Culture Quarter company outline its plans for the Whitley Bay Playhouse and Dome, residents were keen to know of other proposals.

But an invitation from Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade to SMG Europe – chosen by North Tyneside Council as the preferred operator to run the Playhouse – has been politely declined.

And the council itself look set to decline an invitation to outline its reasons for choosing SMG and the plans for the Dome.

The chamber had organised the successful meeting with Culture Quarter earlier this month.

Now members of the public keen to hear what SMG had in store for the theatre.

However, a representative for the company said that it was not an appropriate time to discuss the plans as proceedings and discussions with the council were still ongoing.

Paul Tappenden, SMG's marketing manager at Metro Radio Arena, said: "It doesn't seem appropriate that while discussions are being made to release details or plans of the building.

"We are discussing with the council the building and the best way forward.

"We're very sensitive to the needs of the local community and that will be part of the discussion process."

He added that once the terms were agreed and they were in a position to start work on the project then they would meet with the chamber.

Chamber chairman Alan Moses said: "We're disappointed that SMG declined the offer but we can understand its reasons why.

"As for the council, I think now the public has a right to know what the criteria was and why it chose SMG over the Culture Quarter company,
and to ask the council about plans for the Dome.

"We're not criticising the council, it might be right and SMG might be the best thing since sliced bread, but the council should come along and tell us why.

"The chamber would offer the same opportunities for this meeting, it would be a level playing field and everyone would be treated fairly."

He also said another alternative could be a public meeting for residents to put their own views on the future of the Dome to the council, enabling them to put a vision together on how it could be developed.

A council spokesperson said: "The council has carried out its own internal processes to test the expressions of interest from different companies.

"That has resulted in SMG being selected as preferred operator by North Tyneside Council to manage the revamped Whitley Bay Playhouse Theatre and those negotiations are ongoing.

"Members of the Chamber of Trade are always welcome to come in and meet council officers to discuss relevant issues."