'Alhambra will stay a people's theatre'

But the option of a commercial chain owning and running the district's theatres and halls will be examined by a scrutiny committee in December.

Other methods, including continued ownership and management by the council, will also be investigated with the intention of giving best value to council tax payers.

Theatres general manager John Botteley said today they were being examined in line with the Government's new 'best value' guidelines. Bradford Council has been picked by Prime Minister Tony Blair to 'test pilot' the scheme. Every service from the countryside to council tax collection is being evaluated.

Mr Botteley said: "We are going through the best period in living memory. We are selling more and more tickets and bringing in more and more money."

Mr Botteley, who has prepared a report for the environment committee which will examine the theatres, added: "They aren't necessarily options for the council. I had to identify different ways other people were running theatres and ours would be judged against this.''

He said the last three big musicals at the Alhambra - the Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and Oliver! - had sold a total of 350,000 tickets to a value of £7.5 million, and brought millions of pounds in spin-off spending to the district.

Executive member for the environment, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said: "I don't believe we would wish to dispose of the Alhambra."

But she added: "It will be interesting to see what the review brings up. There are some options which might be desirable in other areas."

Labour spokesman for the theatres, Councillor Barry Thorne, said: "The Alhambra Theatre was provided by the people for the people. It is the jewel in Bradford's crown. I would never want to see it hived off."

A review team made up of five officers will consult people including audiences, staff, managers and producers.

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