The Byre Theatre in St Andrews has been thrown a lifeline after Fife Council’s executive committee agreed that St Andrews University will be the preferred bidder to lease and run the facility, with access for community groups throughout the year.
Fife Council officers will now work with the university to agree the specific terms of the lease.
This will be brought back to the committee for agreement at the earliest opportunity although several councillors expressed concern about whether the university option was the right one and called for more information on the other bids.
Last night a spokesperson for St Andrews University said: “We are delighted that our proposed rescue package for the Byre Theatre has the support of Fife Council.
“We look forward to developing a detailed agreement together with them, Creative Scotland, theatre users, and the local community.”
As revealed by The Courier last week, St Andrews University has proposed a rescue package for the Byre Theatre, which would see the award-winning venue reopen permanently for university and community use.
In a formal bid to Fife Council the university has outlined a sustainable management model designed to broaden the use and reach of the facility for the wider population of St Andrews and Fife.
In a report to Fife Council’s executive committee, which met in Glenrothes, the council’s head of leisure and cultural services, Grant Ward, recommended that councillors agree to lease the Byre to the university.
The Byre Theatre Ltd, which previously operated the Byre Theatre, entered into a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) on January 26 last year and ceased to trade with immediate effect.
Expressions of interest in operating the building were also lodged by the university and the Friends of the Byre.
The Friends of the Byre decided not to take their interest in operating the building any further at this stage while a third proposal was received last month from Stephen Sinclair, former operations manager with the Byre Theatre Ltd.
Mr Ward said: “While all three proposals will provide an acceptable operational model for the Byre Theatre, the proposal from the University of St Andrews provides the best value option for the council.”
Fife Council leader David Ross put forward the idea of getting more details before giving the university the absolute go-ahead.
Councillor Brian Goodall preferred the Cultural Trust bid, but went along with a further report coming back with more details on the university proposal.
St Andrews councillor Dorothea Morrison said the university had put together a “good offer”, but would have preferred to hear more about the other offers particularly Stephen Sinclair who had in-depth Byre expertise.
Councillor Andrew Rodger said: “The university is the only game in town. We should get on with it.”