SOME Inverclyde councillors are prepared to let the crisis-hit Beacon Arts Centre go bust, it has emerged.

It needs almost £2 million to settle a bill with the company which built it — and yesterday Inverclyde councillors met in secret to discuss if they should help out.

But not all councillors are happy about giving more support to the award-winning centre at a time when the council is facing its own serious financial problems.

Graham Construction have refused to back down over a sum between £1.5m and £2m owed because of alleged changes made to building specifications while the work was being carried out.

Yesterday’s emergency policy and resources committee discussed the issue for 90 minutes, but could not reach agreement on a rescue package.

The Telegraph understands that some opposition councillors said they would rather allow the Beacon to ‘go to the wall’ rather than give it more money.

It is currently run by Greenock Arts Guild, but the elected members believe it might be better if the council or Inverclyde Leisure take over The Beacon has also approached the Scottish Government and its arts agency, Creative Scotland, for emergency help.

One councillor said today: “Creative Scotland are passing the buck to Inverclyde Council, but should we be giving more money to the Beacon at a time when the council is having to make difficult cuts?” It is feared the Beacon would plunge into administration if it cannot pay the bill, and that the building may then go to Graham Construction.

A source said: “Graham Construction would probably get the building and then may try to sell it to the council. But who would continue to run it?” Creative Scotland say they invested £2.7 million in the development of the Beacon, and have already pledged a further £600,000 over the next three years.

A spokesperson said: “We are in regular contact with both the Beacon and Inverclyde Council.” But no emergency cash is being promised, and a councillor said money already pledged by Creative Scotland is for activities at the centre, and not for paying building costs. The council is now writing to the government asking for £600,000, and has put off its own decision on extra money until a special policy and resources committee meeting is held in January. It is hoped all councillors would back a rescue plan if the government comes up with the cash.

A spokesman for Inverclyde Council said: “The chief executive, chairman and chief financial officer of Greenock Arts Guild will be invited to attend a councillors’ briefing ahead of that meeting.”