Campaigners fighting cuts have reacted angrily after it was announced taxpayers have forked out nearly £1 million to subsidise Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn since it opened.
The figures which have been released by Shropshire Council show that the authority has subsidised the £28 million venue in Frankwell Quay to the tune of £443,419 in the last financial year and £551,890 the previous year.
Campaigners fighting cuts have been left open mouthed at the amount given to the theatre. But culture chiefs at the council defended the spend and said a new independent report had shown the theatre contributed an extra £5 million to the local economy in its first 18 months. They said it had consistently exceeded expectations and had sold just under 400,000 tickets in two years.
The news comes as Stiperstones Primary School and the Wakeman Secondary School face the axe.
Faye Moore, from the steering group at Stiperstones School, near Shrewsbury, said: “I don’t think it’s right but I think the council will do whatever they want.
“I don’t think they should be spending so much on a theatre when they need to protect our children’s education and the quality of that education.”
Nicky Clark, from the Shropshire Cares Campaign, who fought to save the Grange Day Centre for disabled people, which is due to close in July to save cash, said it was ‘disappointing’.
She said: “While arts and cultural activities are crucial, a day centre which supports and maintains the life chances of disabled people is far more important as far as I’m concerned.”
Emma Boon, from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Local taxpayers know that the council has to find big savings in the coming years and the theatre is an area where they could cut spending.”
George Candler, Shropshire Council’s area director, said: “Shropshire Council recognises the need to constantly strive for further efficiencies across all services during these difficult times and is confident this will be achieved again during 2011/12.”
No-one from the theatre was available for comment.