Bradford's Priestley Centre for the Arts, which was saved from closure after raising more than £10,000 last autumn, is once again facing a bleak future. Director Glenn Boldy said the Little Germany theatre could close by April if there is not enough support for planning its long-term future.

The Priestley is holding a public meeting on Tuesday in a desperate attempt to pool ideas on how to develop its uses.

The theatre faced closure last autumn when it needed to raise £10,000 to pay its creditors. Following a Telegraph & Argus Save the Priestley campaign - which raised awareness of the theatre's productions, education, community facilities and rich cultural history - it managed to raise about £11,000, giving it a three-month reprieve.

The board of directors turned its attention to building a long-term future and appealed to Bradford's business community to help.

But Mr Boldy said that although some help had been offered, the theatre still lacked solid foundations to build upon.

"At the end of the day we're all volunteers, and while we do our best to run the theatre we don't have all the skills needed to form a strong business plan," he said.

"We were delighted to raise enough to keep going last year but it is now vital that we secure our long-term future. If we don't find ways to improve funding I can't see how we can keep going after April.

"We need more funding and we need help from people with legal, business and financial expertise.

"We are working with Bradford's Capital of Culture team on grant applications and John Botteley, general manager of the Alhambra, has been a big help in offering advice. We've also had offers of help and advice from businesses in Little Germany.

"But we need more support from the public. We're aiming to be more than just an amateur theatre. We want to be a community facility, meeting the needs of a wide range of people. But we need to know what the public wants from us."

Among the proposals to be discussed at Tuesday's meeting will be the Priestley getting involved with Bradford Festival. Mr Boldy said the theatre could be used as a venue for festival organisers, and it is planning a production to run during the festival.

The Centre will also consider hosting productions by other amateur dramatic groups from across the district, providing writing opportunities for people, and re-launching its film screenings, which ceased when the film theatre closed after the fire in 1996.

Access issues, including the theatre's need to install a disabled lift, will also be discussed.

Anyone who can help the Priestley by offering funding, expertise or ideas about its future, is invited to the meeting at the Priestley Centre, Chapel Street, Little Germany, at 7.30pm. For details ring Brian Otto on (01274 820666).