CHESHIRE East Council has been criticised for charging a theatre group almost £3,600 to hire a hall it owns for the group’s next show.

Alderley and Wilmslow Musical Theatre Company is staging 9 to 5 at The Evans Theatre at Wilmslow Leisure Centre from November 7 to 11.

Wilmslow Town Council supported the company’s application for a grant of £3,576 to cover the coast of hiring the theatre for the week.

The company said the hire cost this year was £315 more than in 2016, and there was no other performance space in the Wilmslow and Alderley Edge area which matched the requirements of the society for its main show of the year.

“The town council’s finance committee is aware of the strong feeling both within and outside this council as to the wisdom of our unitary council in charging voluntary groups such fees,” said council chairman Cllr Martin Watkins.

“The finance committee also accepts that there are considerable challenges in maximising ticket sales, and notes that this year there is a one size fits all ticket price regardless of which day individuals choose to attend.”

Cllr Frank McCarthy said: “I think it’s disgraceful the way that Cheshire East Council are charging the community for doing things like this.

“What we are effectively asking for is one council to be subsidising another council – money going from the town council to the borough council.

“It all seems a bit of a nonsense, but we need to support this group.”

It is costing just over £30,000 to stage 9 to 5 at the theatre, with income anticipated at £21,000.

The company holds fundraising events, and seeks grant support from numerous organisations.

The town council grant was approved subject to the company seeking a grant from Handforth Parish Council.

In the grant application, Hilary Gradon, the company’s grants officer, said: “Our main autumn production is a ‘must-see’ for all those people who love live entertainment/musical theatre.

“Many of the regular audience are restricted by price, distance and access to the Manchester theatres, and look forward to the annual production at the Evans Theatre.”