Partial closure plan for The Public

Controversial West Bromwich arts centre The Public could partially close when existing funding for the project dries up, the Express & Star can reveal.

Bosses at the £72 million centre are putting together a report that includes mothballing or closing parts of it, when it loses £1 million a year in funding next April.

Arts Council England has given £3 million in the last three years but is not expected to continue with funding. Sandwell Council said it will continue to provide the £1.5m a year it currently gives to The Public but cannot afford any more.

Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper said today: "The council has agreed the level of funding that would be allocated in the future to the Public, and that funding is limited. We have said there will be no further money over and above what has been agreed."

Councillor Ray Nock, leader of the opposition Conservative group in Sandwell, said: "I don't see how the council can justify paying to run this building while making workers redundant."