AS a "Brummie" domiciled in Malvern for 21 years, I wholeheartedly agree with Irene Strong's view that it is unthinkable for our splendid theatres complex to be sold to a commercial company (Your Letters, February 22).

It has been said that Malvern people do not support the theatre. Does it really matter when 20,000 other households up and down the country do?

Chief executive Nic Lloyd caters admirable for everyone, from presenting the terrific Italian opera from Milan to Ken Dodd, and children's shows in school holidays. Plays are featured which college students are studying, music, dance, foreign films, amateur productions are all given space. Will a commercial enterprise do the same?

The unpaid volunteers helping with various duties save the theatres £80,000 a year. What will happen when commercialism dispenses with their services in favour of paid staff? Ticket prices will go up. Will theatregoers still travel long distances to patronise Malvern?

Sir Barry Jackson made his Birmingham Repertory Theatre world famous before turning his attention to laying the foundations of the Malvern Festival.

In his day, (and I quote) "The Malvern Town Council contributed nothing, in spite of the fact that the town benefited to the extent of many thousands of pounds from the influx of visitors as well as gaining immense publicity and prestige, not only in England but also on the continent and in America".

Today the district council turns its "beady eyes" on a successful refurbishment of buildings paid for by the public, in order to cash in on one of the town's greatest assets without the courtesy of consulting those who have made it possible.

How dare we vote for representatives who seemingly have so little care for the enjoyment and entertainment of thousands of people.

To go commercial will be to the detriment of the town.

The theatres complex is the jewel in the crown of the Hills. We should think BIG for its continued independence in the future.

DOREEN BRIDGWATER, Graham Road, Malvern.