Arts Council funding decisions criticised

Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South, spoke just after the Arts Council had pledged £250,000 to reopen the arts centre, which went into liquidation and closed last November with debts of £750,000.

The Arts Council announced last night that it is hoped that Arc will reopen in May with a new management team.

The £9.5m venue shut after a rescue plea to the Arts Council of £280,000 was turned down.

Ms Taylor demanded a meeting with the London-based organisation this week, and it finally agreed to pledge cash to the troubled venue, after numerous requests from Northern Arts.

However, Ms Taylor said last night: "I know that the Arts Council gave £3m towards Arc, but they are quite happy to fund the Royal Opera House in London to the tune of £30m.

"I really think that there is a lack of equity in this area. How can we ever achieve the sort of arts facilities London has?

"In November, more than 50 people lost their jobs because the Arts Council closed Arc. They should have been straight with us then, and told us what was needed.

"I don't think there was any need for what happened. Arc was left high and dry at the time.

"However, I am pleased that it is to reopen. It is a triumph for the arts on Teesside, but there is a long way to go yet."

David McNeill, head of public relations on the Arts Council, said they had no choice but to close Arc last year.

He said: "We have a limited amount of money for recovery packages and we have to use it wisely.

"If we had spent it on Arc the way it was last year, it would have been throwing good money after bad.

"It might have kept the bank managers happy for a while, but it wouldn't have lasted."

Stockton Borough Council's arts advisor, Reuben Kench, last night cast doubt on the Arts Council's preferred May opening date.

He said: "At this stage it seems overly optimistic to talk of a spring launch - autumn would be a much more realistic target.