New theatre 'disrupts TV signal'

The new theatre should be ready in February 2009

A £30m theatre under construction in Shrewsbury has caused some neighbouring properties to lose their TV signals, it is being claimed.

Council officials in the Shropshire town are investigating a number of complaints and said they were looking at ways to help.

But in a report the authority said it was not legally responsible for sorting out the picture problems.

Theatre Severn, in Frankwell, is expected to be finished by early 2009.

'Fuzzy pictures'

"The council has received complaints that some people have lost their television signal as a result of the theatre," a report for Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council said.

"Whilst legally the council is not liable, we are investigating complaints to assess if any assistance can be given."

The Anchor pub, opposite the construction site, moved its satellite dish after starting to receive poor reception and "fuzzy" pictures, staff member Leah Bishton told BBC News.

Mr Macdonald said he believed the theatre had affected reception

"There's a few problems in the area and it's other residents that are affected too," she said.

Aerial technician Jim Macdonald said he had received a high number of call-outs from people in Frankwell recently.

"You've got people who have been happy for two or three years with their digital signal and all of a sudden it's gone bananas," he said.

New facilities planned at the venue include a 650-seat main auditorium, a 250-seat studio theatre, a dance studio, function rooms and a cafe bar with terraces overlooking the river.