Abergavenny’s Borough Theatre faces an uncertain future as county councillors took the struggling institute under council control after it emerged that theatre trustees failed to secure funding for its ongoing operation.

Today’s special cabinet meeting confirmed news broken by this newspaper last week that Monmouthshire County Council was set to take over the lease of the popular theatre.

Rubber-stamping the move, county councillors reaffirmed full ownership and control of the Borough Theatre before saying ‘all options would be reviewed’ as the council scrambles to find over the next six months a workable model to keep the theatre open.

Councillor Bob Greenland said the future of the theatre would be decided within six months, before confirming that six current employees would be taken under the council’s wing.

“The option remains that it might have to close, but I do not think that will happen. I think we will find a way forward,” said Mr Greenland. ??I want to assure the current staff that we will work very hard to secure the future of the theatre going forward. ??“I’d also like to thank the supporters’ group A4B, they have done a huge amount of work in the past to keep it going. Over the next six months, their support will be vital in helping us find a solution.”

Councillor Greenland implored the public to help keep the theatre’s doors open, saying, “The support for the theatre comes from the public. They are understandably anxious that we should find a long term solution. ??“If we are to find one, we need to get the public’s support by getting them to attend performances ??“The theatre is open for business. We are taking further bookings. We hope everyone will show their support so we can find a solution.” ?

The theatre has navigated financial difficulties in recent years. A board of trustees took over the operation from MCC back in 2013, running the theatre as a charitable since then.

Receiving an annual £160,000 since 2016, the Borough Theatre has tried to balance the books with another £28,000 grant from the Arts Council Wales as it tried to steady its financial footing.

But a £120,000 bill for much needed repairs has plunged the theatre into new difficulty.

Under the terms of the takeover, the council will take on the six existing staff at a monthly cost of £9,500 through a Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE).

TUPE Regulations preserve employees’ terms and conditions when a business is transferred to a new employer.

The theatre’s long-term fate will now be decided via a comprehensive review held by the council. ??The council also confirmed that £120,000 in maintenance will need to be met by the council in the long-term, whilst revealing that Arts Council Wales ‘clearly indicated’ the Borough Theatre is an ‘important asset’ in South East Wales and that MCC would ‘count on their support’. ??

The theatre’s long-term fate will now be decided via a comprehensive review held by the council in which ‘firm proposals for the future’ will be laid out.