Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) has drawn up a new business plan, which it hopes will secure £3m funding that will help to safeguard the future of a West Bromwich arts complex.

Earlier this year, Arts Council England (ACE) announced that it was withdrawing financial support for The Public after it was revealed that the centre's annual running costs had doubled since it partially opened in June 2008. However, the council has been working with Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) to develop a new business plan for the venue, after ACE said that it was prepared to provide a one-off £3m grant in order to open an interactive gallery at the complex, which is yet to open.

SMBC, which took over the running of The Public in January, has now established a dedicated management team in partnership with SLT, and the new business plan is now expected to be submitted to ACE for review during July. The council's lead representative on the team is John Garrett, executive director for adult and community services. He said: "This building is a massive asset at the heart of West Bromwich, which can deliver a wide ranging programme of cultural and other events, support the delivery of education, training and enterprise, and which can provide a focus for the regeneration of West Bromwich.

"The new business plan will focus on maximising use of The Public by local people. This is what the project represents and the council has been consistent in its commitment to support that." =