THE future provision of theatre in Swindon will be the subject of a meeting at the Arts Centre next this week.

The meeting has been organised by Swindon Council and will look at ways of reducing or cutting entirely the cost to the council for operating the Wyvern and the Arts Centre.

It comes after local theatre groups met at the Arts Centre earlier this month to receive an update on the council’s Leisure and Culture Commissioning change programme.

The programme will look at alternative ways of providing the town’s leisure and cultural services.

Friday’s meeting, which starts at 7pm, will be a further opportunity for groups or individuals to ask questions about the process.

Coun Garry Perkins, cabinet Member for economy and regeneration who is also responsible for arts and culture, said: “We have already met with a number of local arts and theatre groups over the last few weeks, but we would welcome the opportunity to listen to any groups who have an interest in the Arts Centre and Wyvern and whose views we may not have heard.

“The council is facing unprecedented budget challenges and we need to ensure our cultural and leisure services are sustainable in the years to come.”

Anyone who would like to attend the meeting should contact Darren Edwards on dedwards2@ swindon.gov.uk or 01793 466565. Anyone who cannot attend but would like to discuss the issue should contact Helen Miah on 07766 368261 or hmiah@swindon.gov.uk