ONE of the men behind controversial plans to reopen a £9.5m arts complex has defended the move in the face of a sceptical public.

The Stockton Arc closed down last October after suffering spiralling building costs, high overheads and disappointing ticket sales.

But a mystery consortium of local business leaders, legal experts and education chiefs is planning to resurrect the project.

Potential members of this future board will present their vision of the Arc's future at a meeting of Stockton Borough Council's cabinet, tomorrow.

But news of the return been has met with a lukewarm response in Stockton.

A Northern Echo survey found residents in sceptical mood. Phil Wood, 39, from Stockton, said: "It was a complete waste of money in the first place. They built it in a working-class area and then charged £16 for a ticket.

"If they do reopen it, they should do it for the people around here, rather than trying to attract arty people from Yarm."

Stephen Rankin, 16, a student, who attends the town's Riverside College, said: "I know they were trying to get young people to go, but nobody was very interested.

"I had a piece of video-art in there myself and I didn't even bother going to see it. They should spend the money on something else."

John Hayward, former provost of the University Durham Stockton Campus, is the chair designate of the Arc's prospective board.

He will tell tomorrow's cabinet that the Arc's finances will this time be on a more solid foundation.

He said: "We have a carefully worked out business plan, having looked at other successful models.

"We will have a greater emphasis on youth, and the range of events will be more broadly based.

"Also, it is terrific for us that the Arc is already there and we are not having to start from scratch."

Funding for the Arc, which closed after clocking up debts of about £2m, is going to be less dependent on ticket sales and bar and catering income.

Mr Hayward said: "It will come from private funding, the local authority, the Arts Council, the box office and funding regimes for learning resources.