The long-term future of The Public arts venue in West Bromwich remains uncertain after the local council suggested it would be unable to fund the venue when grant funding ends.

Last year, Arts Council England (ACE) agreed to provide a one-off grant worth £3m after originally revealing it would withdraw support as a result of delays in opening the venue's interactive art gallery. The ACE funding is due to come to an end in March 2011, and the BBC has reported that Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) does not expect to be able to meet the shortfall.

SMBC deputy leader Steve Eling told the broadcaster that the council is to seek further ACE support but will have to review the current business plan as a result of government budget cuts. Eling said: "What is certainly uncertain is any further Arts Council funding from April next year. Obviously, everyone knows what is happening with public sector budgets, so I have already had to make clear that there cannot be any expectation that the council would make up the gap."

The Public partially opened in June 2008 but ran into difficulties after its annual running costs doubled. A business plan drawn up by the council and Sandwell Leisure Trust helped to secure the ACE one-off grant.