Top Lancashire stars' anger at arts funding cuts

Stars, such as Coronation Street’s Julie Hesmondhalgh and Wendi Peters, who are both from the area, said the problems could prevent new talent following in their footsteps.

The Arts Council budget for spending on theatres, galleries, studios and arts groups in Lancashire has been cut by 39 per cent from £1,562,299 to £951,439.

It means the average spend on the arts per head of population in the county is now just 60p, down from 98p.

But that amount is dwarfed by neighbouring north west counties with the total in Greater Manchester at £4.18 per head, £4.26 in Cumbria and £5.97 in Merseyside.

Only Cheshire at 47p is lower, according to new figures.

Critics acknowledged that Lancashire does not have the cultural attractions of other parts of the North West, but said the situation would never improve without significant extra funding.

They have demanded more money for the county.

Plans are now being drawn up for a task force to lobby the Arts Council and other organisations for a fairer share of financial support.

Accrington’s Corrie star Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays Hayley Cropper, said she hoped there would be a campaign against the decision.

She said: “I’ve heard about this through my Equity union rep and I think it’s terrible.

“There is a wealth of talent in Lancashire and it’s a shame if it gets overlooked because of funding issues.

“Some wonderful theatre companies came to Accrington College when I was there.

"I probably wouldn’t be where I am now without them.”

Ribble Valley’s Wendi Peters, who starred in Bad Girls and played Cilla Battersby in Coronation Street, added: “It doesn’t seem fair in comparison with other areas.

“The arts are incredibly important in boosting the area and people’s morale.

“We need to keep nurturing the talent in Lancashire or it will disappear.”

Colne actress Hannah Hobley said she ‘couldn’t believe’ the difference in fundings between regions.

She said: “I’m shocked. I think it’s disgusting.

“There’s lots of places in Lancashire that rely on this sort of funding.

"Why should it be that people in Manchester benefit more than people in Lancashire?”

The full breakdown has been released by the Arts Council after funding to initial groups was announced in March.

The funding for Lancashire, including Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool, will be £951,439 next year.

Cumbria receives £2.1million, Merseyside £8million and Greater Manchester £10.8million.

Paul Kelly, the county council’s senior arts officer, said: “Lancashire has got 20 per cent of the population in the North West, but is only getting four per cent reinvestment.

"That is an important marker of where we are at.”

County councillor Sam Chapman said: “I suspect a lot of money spent on the arts floats down to London and a lot of the money coming from taxpayers across the county is for things they are not seeing.”

Blackburn fashion designer Wayne Hemingway said he felt the government had overlooked the significance of the arts in making its cuts.

He said: “Arts and the creative industry is the second biggest employer in the country, and the second biggest driver of the economy, and it gives more happiness than things like banking.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the influence art has on society.”

Charis Deighton, of Colne, who starred in BBC Three show Drop Dead Gorgeous and is starring in a new film alongside Brian Blessed, said the funding cuts were ‘atrocious’.

She said: “There’s a lot of talent in this area.

"Just because there are big cities in Greater Manchester and Merseyside it doesn’t mean that they need more money.”

Rob Carder, business director of Mid Pennine Arts which is looking for alternative funding to cover the cash lost, said: “We believe funding for the arts in Lancashire needs to be higher.

“It’s a spectacular area in terms of a full range of the arts, and I’m not sure it’s recognised as such.

“We would like to see a big, annual arts event in Lancashire, as there is in Manchester and Merseyside.”

Helen Jackson, of the Horse and Bamboo Theatre which saw its funding cut by 11 per cent, said of the overall picture: “It will just decimate the arts in Lancashire.

“It has come at a time when all of our income streams are drying up but the costs are going up.

“I do appreciate that the Arts Council has to balance its books but I feel the money has not been applied proportionately.

"They need to acknowledge that.”

Lancashire funding in full

Just three groups in East Lancashire are to receive Arts Council Funding in future.

They are the Burnley Youth Theatre, The Horse and Bamboo Theatre Company, Waterfoot, and Curious Minds, a charity group based in Burnley which is tasked with getting young people involved in the arts.

No groups in Blackburn, Darwen, Ribble Valley, Hyndburn or Pendle receive any cash.

Blackburn-based Action Factory lost its £130,000 funding, while Burnley’s Mid-Pennine Arts had a £200,000 grant cut which contributed to its £450,000 turnover.

Elsewhere in Lancashire, the Blackpool Grand Theatre got £360,000 and there is £135,000 for the Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool.

But that is dwarfed by the amount spent on the county’s North West neighbours, despite the only Arts Council eligibility being organisations that use the arts in their work to engage people or help artists.

For example, the Cornerhouse Cinema, Manchester, will receive £805,748 next year, just £150,000 short of Lancashire’s entire funding.

Manchester’s Halle Concerts Society will get £2million, the city’s Royal Exchange Theatre £2.3million and the Lowry in Salford £1m.

The Liverpool and Everyman Playhouse will be given £1.5million and £2million goes to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre is to get £504,866 and Bolton’s Octagon Theatre Trust £573,256.