IT IS the jewel in Basingstoke’s crown and has played host to some of the biggest names in entertainment and showbiz.

But The Gazette can reveal the trust which runs The Anvil is at risk of redundancies and will have to cut a huge range of services after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council slashed its funding by 50 per cent.

The chief executive of Anvil Arts has fired back at council leader Ken Rhatigan who described their business plan as “not fit for purpose”. 

Speaking exclusively to The Gazette, Matthew Cleaver said he was baffled by the leader’s comments as the authority has always been involved with its business strategy and has a councillor who sits on their board.

In a wide-ranging interview with this newspaper, Mr Cleaver said he was fearful about the impact a lack of arts would have on the community and urged the public to write to councillors to ask them to reverse the decision.

Concerns about the future of The Haymarket Theatre have also been brought to the fore, with its lease set to expire next year. However, Mr Cleaver pledged to do “all he could” to save it from closure. 

You can read the full story in this week’s edition of The Gazette. Also in this week's paper:

  • A pupils was put in isolation for a week because she dyed her hair – a rule the headteacher said is there to “create a calm and ordered environment”. 
  • A film crew has descended on Basing View thought to be there filming a new action spy series for Amazon Prime starring Richard Madden, who was spotted by a member of the public.
  • The general manager of The Village Hotel is looking forward to welcoming back customers next month after a tough first year in the town. 
  • Basingstoke's brand-new B&M store officially opened its doors on Saturday, welcoming customers who had been queuing to be the first inside. 
  • An opportunist thief who came across a stolen £1,200 Mulberry handbag left ditched in a wood seized the chance to take the victim’s credit cards to spend over £100 on cigarettes. 
  • Basingstoke’s Business Improvement District will attempt to revive itself later this year after firms in the town voted against renewing its contract.
  • Police have used gang injunctions for the first time in Basingstoke following a number of violent robberies in the town in the last year. 
  • A family has been left distraught after their father’s ashes were lost by a care home clearing out their mother’s room after she died. 
  • PLUS: All the latest from Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.
  • Two pages of your letters to the editor.
  • Pictures: Reader share their 'celeb selfies'
  • The latest news from our communities.
  • An eight-page puzzle special.
  • Business news.
  • Three pages of entertainment news.
  • Two pages of sports news. And much more!

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