THE director of the New Farnham Repertory Company (NFRC) has hit out at South West Surrey MP Virginia Bottomley for offering "vacuous and futile words" on the fate of the Redgrave Theatre.

Responding to comments made by the MP in last week's Herald, Ian Mullins said she had offered them little more than "empty words of polite condolence" on its quest to re-open the venue.

He was particularly concerned by her view that residents "had to be realistic" about East Street and the theatre.

In a strongly-worded letter to the MP, he wrote: "I presume these unbelievably patronising words can only mean that theatregoers have to accept their priceless cultural asset must be sacrificed to make way for commercial development and private profit."

Speaking to the Herald, Mrs Bottomley said it had been difficult to find a financial way forward" for the theatre, which Mr Mullins refuted.

He said the only thing they have sought since its closure in 1998 is the keys to re-open it, and they would find alternative forms of sponsorship.

He added: "It would no doubt fascinate thousands of your constituents if you could possibly explain just how you think the word Redgrave could continue in the town if the theatre is demolished.

"Shame on you, such vacuous and futile words are unworthy of you. Your electorate are not fools. We deserve better, and we deserve our theatre."

Attending an East Street leisure scrutiny meeting at Waverley Borough Council, he said it was "disgraceful" none of the potential developers proposed to retain the theatre.

He said this could not have been the case unless they had been informed by the council of a "strategic decision made four years ago never to re-open the theatre".

This was in reference to the council's announcement they would be predominantly focussing attentions on the Farnham Maltings.

Mr Mullins also expressed disappointment that no members of the council spoke out in favour of the theatre at the meeting.

Hannah Williams, of the NFRC, was similarly dismayed at both Waverley Borough Council and Mrs Bottomley's stance on the issue.

"I find it unbelievable that after all we have said and done, the council do not seem to have changed their view on this. I am quite sure developers have not been invited to consider refurbishing the theatre."

After attending the recent consultation on East Street at the Bush Hotel, she said a number of people had voiced their support for retaining the theatre.

She believed it had operated effectively under repertory directors, and it was only in its final years, as its focus switched to commercial ventures that it came undone.

Highlighting the successful refurbishment of the Studio Theatre in Basingstoke, at Queen Mary's College, she questioned why this could not be done in Farnham.

She was also disappointed at the company's approach to Captain Peter Burden, who heads Waverley Borough Council's focus group, to act as consultants on an alternative theatre, which had met with no success.

However, she said they would "not be going away" on the issue and intended to press their case as far as possible.

According to the Surrey Social Market Research feedback forms from the East Street Exhibition, of more than 800 responses, just over 50 people expressed an interest in retaining the Redgrave.

If one of the current developers is chosen next month by Waverley Borough Council, then the theatre is certain to be demolished.