Council backs down over Battersea Arts Centre funding cut

Published Wednesday 31 January 2007 at 15:50 by Nuala Calvi

Wandsworth Borough Council has performed a U-turn over Battersea Arts Centre, following a public outcry over plans to cut funding to the venue.

The council announced last month that it would be scrapping the South London theatre’s £100,000 annual grant and charging £270,000 in rent and running costs, almost certainly leading to its closure.

Now, subject to an agreement being reached over a new lease on the building, the council has decided to offer BAC £85,000 a year until 2008/9.

Venue managers are set to meet council representatives this week to discuss the new plans.

However, BAC managers warned that the theatre would still be forced to close if the previous rent and running cost proposals were imposed.