THEATRE in Basingstoke could lose half of its council funding as part of a ‘review’ of grants, it has been revealed.
Anvil Arts - which runs the Anvil and Haymarket theatres - told the Gazette it is set to lose at least 50 per cent of financial backing from the authority if proposed cuts to the communities and culture budget go ahead.
Following its approved 2021/22 budget, the council has confirmed it is ‘working with’ the Anvil to ‘review’ support and ensure its getting ‘the best value for money’, while ‘reducing the reliance’ of the Anvil on the borough.
Responding to the news, a spokesperson for Anvil Arts said: “We understand the financial challenges COVID-19 has created for Basingstoke and have been working closely with the council throughout this last year.