Bosses at Storyhouse have responded to claims it has been turned into a 'political football' following cuts to its funding.

The arts venue hit the headlines recently following a motion at a meeting of full council, where Reform UK's Cllr Mandy Clare called for its funding to be reviewed due to it hosting a 'Mini Pride' event.

It was part of the venue's Storyhouse Queer festival, described by Storyhouse as a family-friendly event for children aged three to seven and their carers.

The motion was defeated on the night and the leader of the Conservative group – Adrian Waddelove – said calling for its funding to be reviewed was going 'too far', but had previously written to the venue describing the event as 'wholly inappropriate' for the age group.

At another recent meeting of full council – this time to approve Cheshire West and Chester's upcoming annual budget – it was confirmed Storyhouse's funding would be reduced by £275,000.

The move prompted criticism from Cllr Waddelove. 

He said: "On February 9, members of the Labour group stood up to claim their support for Storyhouse and say that its funding 'will always be safe with us'. Yet, 17 days later, they pull the rug from the venue by voting to reduce funding for it."

He added: "It is beyond contemptible that after standing up on February 9 to chastise Conservative colleagues and I in the council chamber for raising legitimate concerns about events, Labour then seemingly turn their back on this support to save just over a quarter of a million pounds.

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"It is wrong of them to continue turning Storyhouse into a political football."

But Annabel Turpin, chief executive of Storyhouse said the funding arrangements were long-standing.

She said: "The £275,000 reduction in our annual grant was agreed in 2024 as part of negotiations for our current three-year funding agreement with the council.

"The council worked with us to phase the reduction over three years, giving Storyhouse the best possible opportunity to replace that income through other sources."

She said the venue recognised the 'significant financial pressures' facing local authorities and added: "We remain grateful for the council's continued commitment to supporting culture and community life across Cheshire West."

Responding to the Conservatives' claims, Labour ward councillors representing Chester City and The Garden Quarter put out a statement. 

It said: "The Conservatives' claims about Storyhouse are not just wrong, they are opportunistic."

The statement added: "This is the same Conservative group that previously called for Storyhouse funding to be reviewed because they disagreed with elements of its programming.

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"Having taken that position, it is extraordinary that they now seek to accuse Labour of 'defunding' the organisation when a funding settlement, agreed in partnership with Storyhouse itself, is implemented."