BRIDPORT Arts Centre has ambitious £511,000 plans to redevelop its ground floor to make it more viable and able to weather looming grant cuts.

It wants to apply for a £333,000 lump sum from Arts Council England but will have to find the rest of the money itself.

To prove it has community support the arts centre wants Bridport Town Council to pledge £5000.

The arts centre wants to update its performance space, convert the current office space into a bar and cafe area and extend the kitchen .

It plans longer opening hours and by providing a better facility it hopes to increase the income from the bar and cafe.

The grants from Arts Council England, West Dorset District Council and Bridport Town Council have fallen by £15,000 over the past five years

An arts centre spokesman said: "We are anticipating a further 7.5 per cent cut from WDDC in the new financial year and ACE are advising all organisations to prepare for between a 5-25 per cent cut, the timeframe of

which is unknown.

"It is vital that we decrease our dependency on grant in aid and maximise our capacity to generate our own funds."

The centre also wants to install solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint. The heritage windows also need to be repaired and secondary double-glazing installed .

The Marlow Theatre also needs a lot of refurbishment with dance classes unable to meeting there because of the very damaged wooden floor.

The spokesman added: "Much of the equipment in the venue is very old and outdated while the newer equipment is hired in at considerable annual cost.

"A refurbished theatre space will ensure that audiences in Bridport have the best experience when visiting the arts centre and ensure that we can attract the highest quality work and artists to Bridport."

Bridport Town Councillors did agree to earmark the money, but only after some doubts were raised.

Cllr Ros Kayes said she supported the huge refurbishment project.

She said: "We have a history of supporting our arts centre, I think we should go with it."

CllrJulian Jones said the proposals sounded 'quite dubious'.

He said: "The cafe in my opinion would become less attractive if it is brought into the interior of the building.

"I am not convinced that the revenue from the cafe and bar will significantly change.

"I wish them luck but I hope they know what they are doing."

Cllr Sandra Brown said if it happened they have thought it through but it was a long way from happening yet.

She added: "They do have some very good people on board. I am putting my trust in them."

Cllr Kayes said before and during performances people tended to go down the pub because they can't sit down and there is a long queue.

The money from the town council will only be released if the grant application is successful and after another report comes to the finance and general purposes committee.