FUTURE concerts and cultural activity at Walton Hall are under serious threat because of 'unsustainable' financial demands.

Friends of Walton Hall, which was set up in 1991, has presented a variety of performances at the venue since forming.

Until last year the group used the hall for free having created a 'viable series' of eight well attended concerts each year.

But earlier this year the Friends were informed the free use could no longer continue as the council 'determined' that Walton Hall must be run at a profit.

Following discussions with management it was agreed that interim charges for 2015 would be levied at between £100 and £150 per concert and the 'social aspect' of the group bringing its own wine would continue.

The hall's management stated charges for 2016 would increase to £295 per concert and that there would be a charge of £6 per bottle corkage on wine consumed.

But the Friends have since been informed that the 'concession' of £6 per bottle corkage was being withdrawn and that all drinks must be purchased from the bar, with the bar only opening if it could be 'guaranteed' takings would reach £500.

In order to maintain the current benefits, the £12 ticket price, which was already budgeted to produce a loss of around £1500 to the Friends, would have to rise by £7 next year.

The group has labelled it as 'unsustainable', although a £1200 council grant has provided temporary relief.

"There is no account taken of the cultural benefit to the town and it is sobering that we are regarded by the council no differently from any casual one-off user of the hall," said a group statement.

"As a result, there is the real likelihood that it will lead to the demise of the Friends in the not too distant future.

"It does give food for thought about how serious the council is about cultural activity in the town."

The council said it will support the Friends as much as it can and confirmed it has discussed the issue of the fees at length.

A council spokesman said: "We very much want to secure the long-term future of the concerts, but these have been running at a loss for a number of years and council taxpayers can't be expected to pick up the bill.

"Our aim is simply to break even on all Walton Hall activities and we've been working hard with the Friends group over the past 12 months to find a way to reach a mutually satisfactory arrangement."