THE curtain has come down on another senior figure at Greenock’s Beacon Arts Centre.

Chairman Allan Robertson has quit the board just weeks after chief executive Jackie Shearer announced her resignation.

Mr Robertson – a former Inverclyde provost and councillor for 26 years – was appointed to the top job three years ago and tasked with transforming the fortunes of the waterfront venue after a period of turmoil among directors and financial problems following its opening in 2013.

A source said Mr Robertson, who lives in Greenock, has been considering stepping aside for some time and decided to go last week ahead of a new chief executive being appointed. 

The reason for his departure is currently unclear.

Current theatre boss Ms Shearer announced in October she was standing down after two years in charge to take up a role in Glasgow developing and new cultural and community venue.

Interviews for her successor are due to take place on Thursday.

Candidates for the £50,000 a year post will be quizzed by members of the Greenock Arts Guild board, the company which owns and operates the Beacon.

Earlier this year, Ms Shearer said the £10 million theatre was finally starting to turn the corner after a turbulent start, with progress made in the governance and financial sides of the business.

Mr Robertson has been at the helm in his role as chairman since May 2014 and is involved in various other organisations and drama groups.

He served as a Labour councillor for 26 years and was provost from 1992-96.

Following his Beacon appointment, Mr Robertson said he was ‘looking forward’ to the role and that the venue had ‘great opportunities ahead’.

He added: “The Beacon is without doubt one of our greatest assets, and this has been recognised through the backing of the community and the thousands who have visited it.”

Mr Robertson was unavailable for comment.

The Tele also approached the Beacon for a response to Mr Robertson’s resignation.