Sefton councillors have rejected proposals to mothball the £16.5m Southport Cultural Centre. Instead, the centre will open with a “limited but appropriate programme”.
It will have a budget of £398,150 in 2012-13 and £722,200 in subsequent years.
The project to create a centre for the arts, bringing together the former Southport Arts Centre, Southport Library and the Atkinson Art Gallery was started in 2009. It is due to open next year.
But last year, it was revealed that the Southport Cultural Centre was £1.4m over budget, and councillors were asked to consider whether the venue should be left empty or open with a limited programme.
Sefton council received a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £973,100 towards the centre.
It will have a budget of £398,150 in 2012-13 and £722,200 in subsequent years.
The project to create a centre for the arts, bringing together the former Southport Arts Centre, Southport Library and the Atkinson Art Gallery was started in 2009. It is due to open next year.
But last year, it was revealed that the Southport Cultural Centre was £1.4m over budget, and councillors were asked to consider whether the venue should be left empty or open with a limited programme.
Sefton council received a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £973,100 towards the centre.