THEATRE in Basingstoke could lose half of its council funding as part of a ‘review’ of grants, it has been revealed.

Anvil Arts - which runs the Anvil and Haymarket theatres - told the Gazette it is set to lose at least 50 per cent of financial backing from the authority if proposed cuts to the communities and culture budget go ahead.

Following its approved 2021/22 budget, the council has confirmed it is ‘working with’ the Anvil to ‘review’ support and ensure its getting ‘the best value for money’, while ‘reducing the reliance’ of the Anvil on the borough.

Responding to the news, a spokesperson for Anvil Arts said: “We understand the financial challenges COVID-19 has created for Basingstoke and have been working closely with the council throughout this last year.

“We are extremely concerned that, whilst acknowledging the important role and contribution of Anvil Arts to the town, the council is proposing a minimum 50 per cent cut to our previously agreed revenue funding for 2021/22.

“This cut will have an immediate impact on how we run our two venues and our programmes, including work in schools and our community programme, which currently reach around 35,000 people a year. It comes at a time when, like the rest of the town, we most need support, after nearly a year of our venues being closed – during which period we estimate a loss of income of over £1.4m.

“We urge the Council to continue to recognise the importance and benefits of long-term investment and support in the town’s arts, entertainment and cultural organisations.

“In normal times, The Anvil and The Haymarket alone bring around 190,000 people a year to the town centre. Our cultural organisations create opportunities, experiences and jobs for local people, support local businesses, contribute to the wellbeing and quality of life for our local communities, and help to positively raise Basingstoke’s reputation across the UK.”

Responding to the concerns, cabinet member for communities, culture and partnerships Cllr Simon Bound said: “Basingstoke and Deane’s cultural offer is an important part of what makes the borough a great place to live and visit and we value the work of Anvil Arts.

“Like many other performance venues across the country, COVID restrictions have meant it has not been financially viable for Anvil Arts to open for most of this year. However during 2020/21, the trust received £795,000 from the council which is 74 per cent of all grant funding the council provided to local arts and culture organisations and 45 per cent of the council’s total strategic and programme grants budget for the year.

“To ensure we are getting the best value for money from grant support we provide to organisations across the borough, we are reviewing the grant Anvil Arts receives from the council in 2021/22.

“We are working with the trust to understand its plan for the next year, looking at its current offer and business model to ensure the organisation is well placed to recover from the pandemic and makes a positive contribution to the culture offer in the town centre. This includes receiving funding support from a number of sources to reduce its reliance on borough council funding and ensure the trust can operate sustainably in future years.

“We will continue to work with Anvil Arts and we will be reviewing the trust’s draft business plan before a final decision is made as part of the council’s grant allocations for community and voluntary organisations for 2021/22.”

The plans sparked cross-party concern as the budget was approved at the end of February

Speaking at a meeting of full council, Cllr Elaine Still (Conservative, Chineham) said: “While I will be supporting the budget this evening, I feel I need to speak out regarding my deep concern over the proposed cuts to cultural and communities budget

“We know the vital importance of the arts in promoting good mental health and wellbeing among all age groups. These things are fundamental to the future of the borough.

While Cllr Andy McCormick (Labour, Brighton Hill) added: “If you can get people into the theatre, you can expect them to have a meal before and maybe a drink after, to see shops they want to come back to at the weekend.

“I have some serious concerns that they are looking to cut Anvil support.”

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