The boss of one of Glasgow's most popular theatres has hit out after the venue was stripped of its funding by the council.

Tron Theatre’s artistic director, Andy Arnold, said the venue had effectively been ‘struck off’ by Glasgow City Council after more than 30 years of financial support.

Mr Arnold said he had not received any explanation for the decision.

But he claimed it was ‘a reflection of Glasgow's complete abandonment of its desire to be seen as a city of culture anymore’.

He said the Tron’s council support had been gradually ‘whittled down’ from around £300,000 when he joined the venue from The Arches in 2008.

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Mr Arnold said the Tron, which has received annual backing of £130,000 in recent years, was rejected after applying for the maximum annual grant of £200,000.

He slammed council chiefs for pulling the plug when the Tron was enjoying its ‘busiest and most successful period of work’.

Recent hits have included Isobel McArthur’s play Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), which won an Olivier Award last year, and Eilidh Loan’s Moorcroft, which the National Theatre of Scotland will take out on tour later this year.

Mr Arnold said: “We have to apply to the Glasgow Community Fund which, clearly from the application process, has no interest in cultural activity.

“Every question was focused on community involvement.

“There was nothing at all about culture. We had to almost pretend that we were a community centre.

"We know a decision has been made, but we’ve been given no reason as to why the Tron, which invests so much in Glasgow – 10 times what it’s received from the council – is now struck off.

"Our building is actually owned by the council – we spend hundreds of pounds every year looking after it for them.

“The loss of that funding will definitely impact what we can do and how many staff we can employ. There’s no question about it.”

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The council said 220 different organisations would be supported over the next three years via the £50 million communities fund, which lists arts and culture as one of its three main aims.

It received 436 applications worth more than £136 million.

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “The fund was over-subscribed by 64% and we know that organisations will be disappointed, but there is not the money to fund everyone.

“Organisations should not see this as core funding or have any guarantee it will be renewed each time.”