TORY-LED Cheshire West and Chester Council has promised to deliver the proposed £37m Chester theatre and library ‘come what may’.

Labour has raised concerns about the lack of progress converting the former Odeon after a failed Arts Council bid and a redesign to reduce costs.

But the CWaC leadership insists the curtain will go up in August 2016, to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Odeon building in 1936.

Culture spokesman Cllr Stuart Parker, speaking at the executive, said: “Date of opening then, 2016. Yes, that’s still on for 2016. You saw the 80 year celebratory occasion in The Chronicle and that is an ambition that we’ve got. Having this opportunity to design the scheme has been a godsend.”

Deputy council leader Les Ford, executive member for finance, confirmed the council had allocated up to £29.5m but cautioned a £20m funding gap had to be closed between now and the theatre opening.

He said: “We need to look on the positive side. We are going to deliver this come what may. We’ve got to just make sure we’ve got the finances that stack up at the end of it.”

Council leader Mike Jones said: “In 2008 Chester was described as ‘a cultural desert’. We are investing over £500,000 in festivals and events in the city.”

Labour group leader Justin Madders worried CWaC was “overcommitting” itself and banking on Arts Council and Heritage Lottery Fund cash.