Fife Council remains hopeful that a “soft opening” of the Byre Theatre in St Andrews could happen in early autumn.
However, this is “difficult to guarantee” because of wider uncertainties regarding the level and consistency of funding that might be available from Creative Scotland, The Courier has learned.
Councillors were told in February that a “perfect storm” had sunk the Byre Theatre in January, as they backed moves to resurrect it under a trust.
The 80-year-old St Andrews venue closed its doors after succumbing to financial troubles and a liquidator was appointed. I
t had struggled since its new building opened in 2001 and the Scottish Arts Council, now Creative Scotland, withdrew funding in 2011.
It was finally pushed under by a predicted reduction in income, significant debt from the external operator of the cafe-bar, which closed down, and the depletion of limited budget reserves.
In an update to councillors, Fife Council’s head of leisure and cultural services, Grant Ward, has confirmed that the moveable assets owned by the Byre Theatre of St Andrews Ltd have been acquired from the liquidator, Henderson Loggie. This has ensured the retention of a fully-functioning theatre. The building was formally handed back to Fife Council on Monday April 29.
Discussions are continuing with Creative Scotland and the Fife Cultural Trust with a view to securing a long-term sustainable future for the Byre.
Mr Ward said: “The aim is to get the theatre reopened as soon as possible but whatever delivery model is used clearly has to be financially viable/sustainable.
“This presents some real challenges in the current financial climate. The council is still in a position to provide the same level of support previously given to the Byre ie a recurring voluntary grant of £258,000 per annum.
“Creative Scotland have also been assessing the level of financial support they could possibly bring to the table, both in the short-term to get the theatre up and running again and in the long-term via whatever new funding arrangements they put in place to support the wider theatre sector in Scotland.”
Mr Ward said Creative Scotland advised the Fife Cultural Trust that up to £100,000 could be made available in the short-term via its Cultural Economy Fund.
There may be other, one-off Creative Scotland funding streams also available to the Fife Cultural Trust for the Byre but it is unlikely there will be scope for any permanent revenue funding until a new policy is developed and agreed for the theatre sector as a whole, he said.
This is unlikely to be until 2014/2015 at the earliest. Mr Ward said the Fife Cultural Trust board has an obligation to ensure there is sufficient revenue funding in place before they could agree to take on The Byre.