Hyndburn Council has responded to criticism after Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre announced its closure was due to a lack of funding.

Hyndburn Arts Limited announced the closure of the theatre on Thursday (July 14) and cited the loss of 'some large contracts', including £45,000 worth of events business from Hyndburn Borough Council this year.

After the news was announced, hundreds of residents expressed their sadness with many placing the blame on Hyndburn Conservatives and previous administration run by Labour-turned-Independent Miles Parkinson.

Joint Deputy Leader of Hyndburn Labour Group Cllr Melissa Fisher, Shadow Cabinet Member for Arts and Culture said: “Hyndburn Conservatives have defunded the Civic Arts and as a result the inevitable has happened and they have now gone into liquidation.

“The Conservatives are wasting vast sums on vanity projects that the public do not want, yet they can’t find the money to support the Civic Arts.

“We want to place on record our thanks and pay tribute to Gayle Knight and all her staff who worked tirelessly over a number of years to provide many happy memories for the residents of Hyndburn.

“The Tories should be ashamed of themselves. They need to find a solution so that this valuable community asset can continue.”

Cllr Fisher says Hyndburn Labour Group has requested an urgent meeting with Hyndburn Borough Council Chief Executive David Welsby and are liaising with creative director Gayle Knight to see if a solution can be found at this late stage.

Former borough Labour MP Graham Jones, who lost his seat to the Tories in 2019 and is running to win it back at the next election, addressed the closure on Facebook.

He said: “The Civic Arts closure was avoidable.

“The Tories have found millions for vanity projects no-one wants but can’t find a few quid to support this wonderful council building and the brilliant Civic Arts.

“Listening to senior staff it’s a tragedy and there’s no way back and an empty building.

“Gayle and her brilliant and dedicated arts team were undermined for years and at every stage by Hyndburn Council.

“Hyndburn Council had refused to provide gap funding of just £30k, has provided little or no support from the £millions in government grants and funding schemes, and generally been negative to the Civic Arts.

“Hyndburn Council boasts of his backing, financial, political, for a heritage and cultural centre as a centrepiece of Accrington town centre square but can’t even manage its own current facilities.

“‘Reap what you sow’ and we’re all losers as a result.”

Cllr Marlene Haworth, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said: “The Civic Arts Centre and Theatre in Oswaldtwistle is run and operated by Hyndburn Arts LTD, independently from Hyndburn Borough Council.

"The Council do not charge for lease of this community building.

“Hyndburn Arts LTD approached Hyndburn Borough Council on Monday, July 10.

"A meeting was scheduled for the following day and during this meeting difficulties the organisation were facing were highlighted.

“Details or the extent of the difficulties were not available for direct discussion and £50,000 was requested to keep operations open for a few more weeks until the end of July, or it was indicated immediate closure would likely be necessary.

“Councils are required to act responsibly and take due diligence on all funding awards, and require all necessary documents to undertake any decisions.

“We understand that within 48 hours of the Council being approached the independent board, who oversees Hyndburn Arts LTD, made a decision to start the process of liquidation after independent advice was sought.

“At no stage has £45,000 of events funding been removed from the organisation by Hyndburn Borough Council.

"Any monies granted in previous years were following successful open tender opportunities and this was on an ad-hoc basis and varied each year.

“This summer Hyndburn Council had commissioned Hyndburn Arts LTD to deliver three events in Accrington Market Hall, following successful tender and 50 per cent of this funding has been paid upfront.

“Open invitation for events proposals for 2023/2024 in Hyndburn have not yet opened for applications.

“I join the community in being deeply saddened by this news, I wish we would have been approached much sooner so we could have had time to look into possible solutions or advise.”