The operators of a troubled Fife theatre have said that they will not accept a funding award agreed by local councillors last week.
The Alhambra Theatre Trust said it did not ask for, or ever intend to accept, the £150,000 funding approved by Fife Council’s executive committee.
It said the deal would be unacceptable following the collapse of merger talks with another local venue.
It emerged earlier this month the historic Dunfermline venue could close in March unless a recurring funding package could be approved.
However, a statement from the theatre operators has said that it has no intention of accepting the council bail-out following the collapse of a scheme to merge operating costs with the Carnegie Hall last month.
In a statement aimed at the council, the Alhambra Theatre Trust said: “At the risk of being ungracious we have no interest in the late alternative proposal from Fife Council.
“We agreed to allow this proposal to go forward only on the basis that if this sum is secured in your forthcoming budget it could be allocated to our merger proposal tabled in July 2015.
“The continued prospect of the Alhambra being awarded a standstill figure of £150k per annum whilst the Fife Cultural Trust receive £350k+ per annum to operate the Carnegie Hall, in competition with a private charitable enterprise, is of no interest to us.”
Last week councillors voted 10-9 to pledge £150,000 for one year, but not the £150,000 for each of the next three years initially suggested.
However, this process appears to have been pointless, with the Alhambra Theatre Trust blaming Fife Cultural Trust which operates the Carnegie Hall on behalf of Fife Council for the collapse of merger talks.
“In 2015 we were invited by Fife Council to put together a proposal aimed at bringing the two theatres together, not only to achieve a cohesive cultural identity allowing the two theatres to exist side by side free of damaging competition, but also to examine ways of creating savings for Fife Council.
“At the 11th hour, and after six months of discussions, on December 18 we were disappointed to learn that Fife Cultural Trust had changed direction and would no longer support an amalgamation.
“It was only then that an alternative figure of £150,000.00 funding for the Alhambra Theatre began to be discussed.
“We have made it clear in our meetings with Fife Council from the outset that this is not the outcome that we seek.”