Irvine’s entertainment scene could be in line for a huge hammer blow as council chiefs consider axing the Harbour Arts Centre (HAC).
The town’s only music venue and theatre is on the chopping block as North Ayrshire Council executives prepare a ‘horrifying’ budget, one insider claimed.
A leaked revenue budget dossier details that the HAC, billed as the ‘cultural hub of North Ayrshire’, could be binned as soon as next year as bosses scramble to make £14.5 million in savings for the 2023/24
Executives could save a paltry £49,000 by axing the venue, which also hosts a range of theatre, comedy, music and visual arts – often featuring local artists.
The harbourside venue also features exhibitions and a number of workshops and classes for adults, kids and families.
The arts venue has been operating for 56 years and has recently become the spiritual home for Freckfest – the volunteer group aiming to inject life into Irvine’s music scene over the past nine years.
Nik Kershaw, Glasvegas, James Grant, Glenn Tilbrook and a host of established acts have graced the 100-seater venue under the group’s banner while championing new acts from in and around Ayrshire during their 150 shows.
The axe is hanging over the venue’s head months after public consultations began on the local authority’s Great Harbour project, which has seen a £14m allocation going towards three hubs.
A coastal hub and a huge new play park bidding to be a ‘national attraction’ form part of the masterplan with the team behind the famous Kelpies statues drafted in to consult on the multi-million pound project.
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “It’s important to stress that no decisions have yet been taken on budget savings for next year.
“We will shortly be undertaking consultation across North Ayrshire which will inform us of our residents’ priorities ahead of the budget being set.
“However, across Scotland and the United Kingdom, everyone is feeling pressure from the cost-of-living crisis and the council is not immune from that.
“Over the past 12 years, we have had to find savings of more than £129 million while ensuring we protected frontline services and jobs.
“And there’s no doubt that difficult financial choices continue to lie ahead for all of us. For the financial year 2023/24, we currently anticipate a funding gap of £14.5m, while our financial outlook also indicates the council has an anticipated budget gap of £35m over the next three years.
“Rising inflation and energy costs have created additional pressures on our already challenging financial position.
“Unfortunately, that means that difficult options are likely to be considered in order for us to deliver a balanced budget.
“However, no decisions will be taken on how to achieve these savings until full council meets to consider the 2023/24 budget on March 1, 2023.”
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