THE desperate situation a city centre arts base is facing was revealed last night.

The Maltings Arts Theatre, which was once a thriving hub from which a variety of theatres performances and children's workshops took place, seems to be slowing dying.

At a meeting of St Albans District Council's overview and scrutiny public services committee it was revealed by the project manager Clive Miller that last week the Maltings management only made £73 in takings.

Councillors on the committee who are responsible for looking over the council's cabinet report and suggesting what should be done came together to decide what needs steps should be taken before a firm decision is made.

Last year the council decided to reduce it's subsidy to the Maltings Arts Theatre but as an alternative said it could borrow £500,000 in capital investment to rejuvenate the venue.

However one of the ideas put forward in the business plan included a cinema. The St Albans Civic Society has been seeing red since this option arised and is whole-heartedly opposed to it.

Marion Hammant was invited to address the committee over their concerns which mainly centre around the competition the Odeon – which is on its way to rising from the ashes – would face if the Maltings also screens films.

She told the committee: “We are very concerned about these issues. We thought that this report was ill thought out and premature.

“We want to have a cinema in the town centre but what is anyone doing proposing it for the Maltings.

“Before this was started the Odeon had not been secured. Although many have said it will not happen it is more likely that it will.

“So I ask the council to think again – should you be funding something that could be in direct competition with the Odeon?

“We find it very worrying.”

Mrs Hammant disagreed with the council's view that the venue is struggling. She thinks it is doing really well but could excel if something is done to make it look more attractive.

She said opening a cinema would be an expensive failure and hoped the many children and live acts who use the centre would not be turned away.

Mr Miller responded: “I don't think it was ever intended that this would compete with the Odeon. It would always cater for minority group tastes.

Chairman of the committee Councillor Julian Daly gathered points to send back to the council's cabinet to review before setting a final business plan later on this year.