REPRESENTING the large group of volunteers who fundraise for and carry out front of house duties in Malvern Theatres, Malvern Theatres Association chairman Tony Marsden said he did not support a commercial buyout of the venue.

He said the association had been formed in 1964, after a similar public meeting to the one on Wednesday in the old "Winter Gardens".

"At that time the theatre was in a sorry state," he said, "The object of the association was to promote interest in the theatre, support functions, render financial assistance and to ensure the continuance and support of the Malvern Festival Theatre."

As a result of the work carried out for free by the association members, he said that the venue costs were reduced by about £80,000 every year and that, as a consequence of fundraising work, they had additionally received £25,000 for new equipment since 1998.

It is because of the presence of the volunteers in the theatres, he said, that they have a "friendly atmosphere".

"This theatre complex is a very happy place and we are much concerned that it would be a change for the worse if it were to be taken over by commercial management."