"I happpen to think that arts and cultural activities (and sport) should be subsidised - first of all by the taxpayer, and secondly by those who benefit from people's attendance, i.e. traders"

Ok, so you DO want someone else to stump up. It doesn't matter what they do in other countries - it isn't going to happen here. Ask Steve Heap.

"If it is the Council will close it down as you wouldn't fit half the people who used to attend in the much smaller number of venues now available"

Yes, you would fit in half the 2004 numbers quite well. There was lots of room in 2005. On what grounds would the Council close it down anyway? PLEASE don't say "licensing", that's SO tired and as 2005 demonstrated, WRONG