THE future of Abergavenny’s Borough Theatre could be hanging in the balance as Monmouthshire County Council look set to take over the lease following the failure of the theatre’s trustees to access funding that would have made it less dependent on ratepayers for its survival.

A cabinet meeting on February 28 will seek approval to accept the surrender of the lease thus returning full ownership and control of the Borough Theatre to the council.

The theatre was transferred to the existing charitable trust on the basis that, given three years of council aid, it would have been able to access additional income sources and grant funding.

However, with insufficient support forthcoming, the council now looks likely to review all options over the next six months before deciding the theatre’s fate.

In 2013, the management and operation of the Borough Theatre was transferred from the council to an independent board of trustees in the form of a limited company.

Since then the theatre has been operating as a charitable trust.

Until 2016 the theatre received an annual grant of more than £160,000 from MCC plus £28,000 from Arts Council Wales in addition to income from performances.

However, in 2016 the council subsidy was scaled back. An interim ‘Schedule of dilapidations’, carried out in July of last year uncovered a need for repairs costing almost £120,000.

The Borough Theatre Trust has been subject to a management agreement with the council as well as a thirty-year lease, which required the trust to invest in and repair the interior of the theatre, including fixtures and fittings as well as building a future sustainable business plan.

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

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

Commenting on the likelihood of taking the reins a council report reads, ‘Should Cabinet agree to the surrender of the lease, the council will undertake a full review to establish the future viability of the theatre, including existing and potential operating models.

‘Such an appraisal cannot be carried out lightly; the theatre provides a year-round programme of performances to suit all genres and it is a valued asset by the local community as well as those from further afield. During 2016/17 the Theatre received footfall of 25,032 people.

‘The location of the theatre within the town hall provides the council with an opportunity to consider its future in a wider context and maximise any benefits that the proposed refurbishment of the town hall might be able to create in terms of accessibility and increased footfall.’

Describing the Borough as Monmouthshire’s ‘Jewel in the Crown, the Theatre’s website states,

‘The performing tradition runs deep in Abergavenny and the town supports many local amateur theatre and operatic companies who regularly perform at here.

‘Although much has been achieved, the ever growing demand for use of the theatre from both the professional and community sectors only goes to demonstrate that much work lies ahead.’

The council speculates that under the terms of surrendering the lease, existing bookings could be honoured and there would be potential access to Arts Council funding to assist with repairs. The takeover would also allow time for a full review to take place.

However, if the review concludes that the theatre is not viable without subsidy in excess of what it currently receives, then closure would be a likely option.