A voluntary group’s proposal to reopen the Byre Theatre as a community venture is to be further discussed by its members amid their concerns about the “current inability of Fife Council to find a lasting solution”.
The Friends of the Byre believe that their proposal could be the way forward if the council is not able to strike a deal with the Fife Cultural Trust.
It comes as the council continues its discussions with various parties including St Andrews University.
Alan Tricker, a former chief executive of the Byre Theatre who is secretary of the Friends of the Byre, told The Courier that the matter will be discussed at the group’s annual meeting next Wednesday.
He said: “The committee will be reporting the current inability of Fife Council to find a lasting solution for the Byre Theatre.
“It will be the decision of the membership whether or not to go for a full public meeting with the aim of gauging wider community support to set up an organisation charged with developing a full business plan under the guidance of COSS (Community Ownership Support Services).
“The committee of the Friends is keen for Fife Cultural Trust to take on the operation, as originally planned for April 2013, but if Fife Council will not guarantee funding for them, then other options need to be considered.”
The Byre closed its doors on January 25 last year after going into liquidation.
The Courier told recently how the council, which is exploring various options, remained “optimistic” that a sustainable funding package could be secured that would allow the building to reopen on a permanent basis.
The venue was used by the Fife Jazz Festival in January and is being used this week by StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival.
It emerged in November that the then council leader Alex Rowley was exploring whether St Andrews University could play a key role in the theatre’s resurrection.
The university has been having discussions with the council and has been “fully supportive” of its efforts to find a solution. A source said the university has expressed an interest in relocating its music department from the Younger Hall to the Byre.
But The Courier understands that the university has been reluctant to present a full business plan as it doesn’t wish to be seen to be in a “bidding war” with Fife Cultural Trust or a community group.
Grant Ward, head of leisure and cultural services, said: “The council, supported by Creative Scotland, is actively working to deliver a sustainable long-term future discussions are continuing with a number of interested parties, including Fife Cultural Trust and St Andrews University.
“In the meantime, we’re (delighted at the) reopening of the Byre again this week for StAnza and will also be able to offer a similar arrangement for a number of one-off community productions due to take place later this year.”