THE man who masterminded the creation of the Octagon has warned that the cash-strapped theatre will be gone within five years if the proposed business plan for its future is adopted.

Robin Pemberton Billing, the Octagon's founder director, describes the proposals for the theatre as "a recipe for disaster".

The plan suggests cutting in-house productions from nine to three-a-year and bringing in touring shows.

Mr Pemberton Billing questions whether research has been done to find out whether there is an audience for touring companies at the theatre, particularly when the Council's Albert Halls already fulfil this function.

And he asks what steps were taken to recoup the theatre's debts before they were allowed to reach half-a-million pounds.

He wants to know what the "plan" cost and why Alun Bond, who will be paid £400-a-day to save the Octagon, was given the job without being interviewed.

He said: "The theatre's board cannot escape the fact they are largely responsible for the Octagon's present plight. It is totally unfair to attempt to shift the blame onto the theatre staff.

"I am convinced that this unique theatre, with a national reputation for the quality of its work, will gradually but relentlessly wither away and die under this plan and, almost before they realise it, the people of Bolton will be without a theatre.

"Have local businesses been asked to sponsor specific productions?

Contribute

"Cash could be raised by asking audiences to contribute £1 each as they left the theatre.

"The Octagon has been a valuable jewel in Bolton's crown for nearly 32 years and I am deeply saddened by the incompetence and lack of foresight which appears to have permeated its present leadership.

"Is there nothing that can be done before it is too late? A bit less secrecy from the board might be a start."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.