BY TOBY ROBINSON

TWO of the borough's premier entertainment facilities could be in line for a major overhaul.

Currently the taxpayer foots a bill of more than £400,000 for Crewe's Lyceum Theatre and Nantwich Civic Hall but that may change under new proposals.

The topic was discussed at Friday's meeting of the Best Value Panel which considered a final report on the area's provision for arts and culture.

It suggested further research to assess whether alternative methods of operating the facilities would provide the same or even an improvedlevel of service.

The panel decided to refer the report to the Policy Committee meeting next Thursday.

Last year it cost the borough £356,000 to run the Lyceum and £86,700 for the Civic although private operators will only be considered if certain conditions are met.

Any interested parties must reflect the council's social inclusion policies in programme provision and make sure existing employees are secure.

Staff focus groups from both venues felt there was a need for an increase in marketing and internet technology providing programme details and booking facilities.

The group from the Civic also felt there was a clash of programme content with the Lyceum too often last year and that the Civic didn't cater enough for 16 to 25-year-olds.

Street surveys were carried out as part of the review with the results very supportive of the Lyceum.

An encouraging 92 per cent of those asked said they considered the Lyceum important to the the town although 85 per cent felt the borough should provide its funding with only 5 per cent in support of private finance.

"The overwhelming support for the Lyceum is very gratifying to all those involved in the theatre," said Cliff Stansfield.

"The possibility of private operators coming in is a long way down the road.

"It is legislation that we conduct these reviews along with their criteria and one option we have to look at is whether competition would be in the best interests of the people of Crewe and Nantwich."