BUSINESSES are to be asked to run the Weymouth Arts Centre premises.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council has decided it cannot afford to bail out the charity, which leases the space on the first floor of the Mulberry Centre in Commercial Road.

At a meeting of the management committee yesterday councillors rejected a proposal to continue negotiations with Weymouth Arts Centre Limited.

Instead it decided to consider bids from private companies to lease the property. If no bidders are accepted the council will consider using the space as a temporary community room while the Pavilion is redeveloped.

Councillor Howard Legg told the meeting: "I had hoped the situation could have been resolved three or four years ago when things were being reorganised.

"But we've got to make a choice and regrettably the only pragmatic option is to obtain a commercial letting."

The centre was re-opened last year following a £1 million refurbishment but WAC says it cannot afford to pay the annual service costs of around £13,000.

The council has already offered the premises at a rent-free rate for the next five years.

Now the private sector will be asked to bid to lease the centre.

Councillor Christine James backed using the space as a temporary community room adding: "Unless we find the money to back it I don't think we have any other choice."

Councillor Nigel Reed said: "It is disappointing but there seem to be underlying problems."

Councillor Mike Goodman said: "We should go out and market it and that might help to concentrate the mind of the arts group."

Councillors decided retain the power of veto over who will lease the premises.