WILLIAM Boughton, founder of the Malvern-based English Symphony Orchestra, has called on arts lovers to resist the proposed commercial takeover of Malvern Theatres.

Mr Boughton made a speech denouncing the proposal during the orchestra's concert at the Forum on Friday, December 7.

Plans for the theatres complex to be managed by the Surrey-based Ambassador Theatre Group are now being discussed.

Malvern Hills District Council, which is having to look at its funding of the theatre under its Best Value review, and Malvern Theatres Trust are holding negotiations with the group.

But Mr Boughton, who started the ESO 21 years ago, says a great many questions have to be asked about the proposal.

He said: "Local management is why the theatre has been so successful. Local audiences trust Nic Lloyd's programming."

He queried whether the Ambassador Theatre Group, which runs 18 theatres in London and across the country, would be able to have such a close rapport with its audience and he said that, following his statement last Friday, many people approached him after the concert to voice their concerns.

"People just don't know what the implications are and they want to know more" he said. "They want to know who are the Ambassadors and what a takeover would mean for the theatre."

"The theatre is such a central part of our lives in Malvern that any change that affects is future must be discussed fully in public, not behind closed doors."

Tony Marsden, secretary of Malvern Theatre Association, which provides volunteers staff for the theatres, said he was pleased Mr Boughton had spoken out.

He said: "I doubt if many of our members would want to work for a commercial organisation and the commercial organisation probably would not want us.

"A commercial takeover operated from a remote site would not have the personal touch that the theatres have had."