THE manager of a Barrow entertainment hub, which is under threat of being outsourced due to budget cuts, has announced that she is planning to table a bid with a group of staff to take over the venue.

Barrow Borough Council needs to cut £2.3m from its budget, which has put the future of The Forum in Duke Street, Barrow, under threat.

The theatre and arts facility usually receives a subsidy of £800,000 from the council every year but this is set to be cut by £300,000, meaning that cost-cutting measures are having to be put in place.

READ MORE: The future of The Forum uncertain as council needs to trim £2.37 million from budget

In a meeting held at The Forum yesterday, councillors including Shaun Blezard, Anne Burns and Brendan Sweeney admitted that the theatre and Park Leisure Centre in Greengate Street could be outsourced to private companies.

However, Sandra Baines, who is the general manager of The Forum, feared the repercussions of a private venture as she declared that she is planning a takeover bid as a co-operative with other members of staff.

She said: "We had a staff meeting and we are devastated that this is happening. A lot of us have been here a long time and we have put our hearts and souls into this place. It is more than just a job.

"We will be putting a bid in as staff to take it on - not for ourselves but for the community.

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"If it goes to a private company the prices will go through the roof.

"We need everybody's support to do this and we understand that this subsidy has got to be reduced.

"We are working on a budget and putting together a business plan. We need support in coming up with ideas to increase income and reduce costs.

"We want to stay here and make this work for the people of Barrow."

If the venue is to be outsourced to a private firm, Greenwich Leisure Ltd has expressed an interest in bidding for the tender of The Forum as well as The Park Leisure Centre in Barrow as part of a double deal.