Things are already looking better for the Priestley Centre for the Arts, which only a little over a week ago was facing the future with dread.

It was very encouraging that the people of Bradford responded so enthusiastically to the T&A-backed appeal for them to go along to see the production of The Cherry Orchard. They gave the centre's funds a very useful boost, staving off the crisis at least for the short term.

It is good news, too, that a growing number of big names are now coming out in support of it. Clearly the Priestley Centre occupies a special place not only in the hearts of local people but also in the world of theatre and cinema.

Those who responded to the call and made their first visit to the centre last week will hopefully have been so impressed with the place that they will return again and again, and also urge their friends to experience this super little theatre and the efforts of the dedicated, hard-working, largely amateur team who keep it going.

But for its long-term future to be assured the centre will need support at a higher level. There is surely every reason for that to be forthcoming.

The centre puts so much into the community, not just through its productions but through the many classes it runs and the facilities it provides for local groups, schools and children.

Every effort must be made to help the enthusiasts who run the place to put together a cohesive business plan to help to win the funding from the Arts Council and Lottery Commission that many other, lesser ventures enjoy.