THE future of a much-loved Winchester arts venue is in doubt with the impending opening of the revamped library later this year.

The Tower Arts Centre, off Kings Road, is set to be transferred by Hampshire County Council to Kings' School, raising questions about its future direction.

The centre has carved out a niche as a mid-sized comedy, music and drama venue. It is a major attraction for the young, hosting the annual Battle of the Bands, the Winfest project and the Big Padonka, the annual festival for children.

But the library, called the Discovery Centre and refurbished at a cost of £7 million, will have spaces for performance, potentially making the Tower superfluous.

Tower manager John Tellett declined to comment when approached by a reporter.

A spokesman for Kings School also referred enquiries to the county council.

County councillor Margaret Snaith, executive member for recreation and heritage, said the Discovery Centre would have an art gallery, performing hall and classroom spaces.

"That led us to re-assess our cultural services in Winchester to ensure that we, along with others, are providing the widest possible range of high-class cultural services in the city.

"We are in very preliminary discussions with Kings' School about a possible transfer of the Tower to the school and, and while it is very early days yet, it may be that the school will continue to maintain a community arts programme of some kind, as well as using it for its own purposes.

"So some activities may well remain at the Tower and others will transfer to the Discovery Centre. Overall, our aim is to increase the level of cultural provision in Winchester and ensure that we are providing the right services in the right place to meet the community's needs, so this is potentially a very good bit of news for people in Winchester."

Mrs Snaith is due to consider a report on the Tower in either July or September.

One Winchester city councillor, who asked not to be named, said: "The county thinks the new Discovery Centre can replace the Tower. It is very short-sighted. The Tower offers the first experience of the arts to children from council estates like Winnall, Stanmore and Highcliffe. The Tower covers the less highbrow stuff, the more popular stuff. These kids are unlikely to want to go to the Discovery Centre."

City councillor Ian Tait, a member of the Tower board of trustees, said: "I'm concerned that there might be a weakening of what is without question an excellent cultural and social facility."

City council leader George Beckett said it was unclear how the Tower would be managed in the future. If Kings School manages it much as now he did not see there would be any problem.

But he said the council would review its annual £21,000 grant if there was a change of direction.

Mr Beckett, who attends events at the venue, said: "Things are not yet clear. But it looks like the county council wants to have someone else managing the venue."

The centre currently gets an annual grant of £94,500 from the county council.