CAMPAIGNERS fear that a new lease on a theatre may be a smokescreen for further funding cuts.

Last night (December 6) Redbridge Council’s cabinet agreed to grant a new lease to the Kenneth More Theatre (KMT) in Oakfield Road, Ilford.

This followed high level discussions by council leaders to close the theatre, which is run down and in need of repairs, and stage productions in the Sir James Hawkey Hall in Woodford Green instead.

More than 40 supporters of the theatre attended the meeting last night, but had to leave when the conditions of any potential new lease agreement were discussed.

Councillors say that the meeting was held behind closed doors because commercially sensitive information was being discussed.

The theatre’s grant was slashed last year by £20,000, and, having received no assurances that its funding will continue beyond 2013, campaigners fear a new contract may not be enough to ensure the theatre’s future.

Barbara Hill, of the KMT Supporters Club, said: “Last night I told councillors that Hitler destroyed the first theatre in Ilford, the Hippodrome, do not be the council that destroys our present theatre.

“Why should it be so secret? The council talks about being open but carry on sometimes like a secret society sometimes.”

“The theatre needs all sorts of repairs. There are concerns that they were discussing whether to make further cuts to our budget that could put us out of business.”

Vivyan Ellacott, who managed the theatre for 35 years, said at the meeting last night: "After two years of rumours of closure, takeovers, and re-location, the KMT needs a long lease and a guaranteed future so it can rebuild confidence and morale of staff, volunteers and patrons, so it can create a proper business plan, re-structure its finances, seek outside sponsorship and recover its lost audiences.

"However, even with a long lease, none of this will happen if the council goes ahead with plans to remove all financial support for the KMT over the next three years.

"Is there any point in giving the KMT a new lease of life if you intend to choke it to death within three years?"

Redbridge Council Deputy Leader Ian Bond said: "We want to see the theatre continue and also safeguard the finances so that the future costs of the theatre are manageable.

"It is standard to hold discussions about lease negotiations behind closed doors when third parties are involved.

"There are currently no plans to cut the theatre’s budget but given the situation with our finances we can’t absolutely guarantee that no further cuts will be made."