Headed by Michael Wragg, from the Gainsborough Amateur Operatic Society (GAOS), the group assembled at an open meeting to discuss West Lindsey Council plans to make the Centre more sustainable following the loss of Arts Council funding.

Mr Wragg said the meeting was a success, as it showed the strength of opposition and that the next step would be to extend the deadline of the review, the findings of which are to be presented to the council in June 2009.

“The meeting achieved everything we hoped it would,” said Mr Wragg. “It was a success because it showed opposition to the plans.”

Mr Wragg opened the meeting with a brief speech on the issues facing the venue, before opening the floor to proposals.

“We have gone from this centre being the ‘artistic jewel in West Lindsey’s crown’ to a proposal to rip out the seats, flatten the auditorium, demolish a significant part of the stage, turn the dressing rooms and others spaces into office space and zap the live arts and films shows into the stratosphere, never to be seen again,” he said.

Also speaking was May Greenaway, wife of founder John Greenaway, who said the reduction in Arts Council funding, which represents just 15 per cent of the centre’s funding, shouldn’t lead to drastic considerations.

Also present at the meeting was the council consultant on the project, Stuart Duckworth, who heard from various attendees on their thoughts on the project and ideas for revenue.

Several residents expressed concern at how much money the consultancy exercise was costing the council in relation to the cost of continuing funding, particularly following the £92,000 renovation of the centre’s dressing rooms in the latter half of last year.

Chief Executive of West Lindsey District Council, Duncan Sharkey, welcomed the formation of a committee to examine ways to make the auditorium sustainable in its current form.

“We want to take all views into account – the Council certainly does not have a monopoly on good ideas. However, we have to balance the wishes of the centre users with the interests of all the taxpayers in the district,” said Mr Sharkey.

“However, I can say that the council is looking to support the facilities adequately and this will inevitably mean a substantial annual investment.”