A PRIVATE company is set to take over running the bar and catering operation at Burnley's Mechanics Theatre.

The plan is part of a scheme designed to return the theatre, which has suffered falling visitor numbers, to its former position as a prime town centre venue.

The future of the Manchester Road theatre looked to be under threat two years ago after council bosses revealed they needed to claw back a budget deficit of £1million.

And fears were also raised about the venue's viability when it was revealed car parking would be lost to accommodate a new job centre in the Town Hall car park.

But council plans aim to find new ways of attracting more people to the Mechanics.

Those plans include a partnership arrangement between the council and a private company to run the bar and catering facilities, transforming the foyer area into a smaller venue which would be used to showcase local talent, and greater promotion of the venue.

The council also wants to reduce the amount of money it spends subsidising the Mechanics. At the moment every time a ticket is purchased for an event it costs the council £10.08 in subsidies.

Coun Peter Kenyon, Burnley Council's executive member for best value and resources, said: "The plans for the bar are part of the wider scheme for reviving the Mechanics. We have been trying for a while to get a private partner on board in running the bar and catering facilities, but only now have we got a company who are willing to take on a franchise.

"As a council we have never been able to compete with other privately-run venues in the town centre and hopefully the involvement of a commercial sector partner will help the Mechanics once more become part of the town centre circuit."

In 1988 a £3million project at the Mechanics won national design awards and put Burnley Council at the forefront of local authority arts and entertainment. In 2000 the council announced an ambitious plan for a major £6million renewal of the theatre complex -- but cash never materialised.

The bar and catering plans were due to be discussed by the council's executive tonight.