I AM pleased the Barbican is moving forward since the Liberal Democrats closed in November 2004. It is criminal that York has lost out on £72m due to this closure (Reopening of York’s Barbican Centre could bring in £12 million a year to city, September 22).

I have said the council may have to possibly pay the new operators of the Barbican £1m in compensation if they pull out; Liberal Democrat Councillor Keith Hyman says this is not true (Letters, November 27).

I refer to The Barbican Auditorium report (agenda item 6). This paper was circulated to all councillors on October 7 before our full council meeting at my request. Paragraph eight of annex three says after the end of year one, the tenant has the right to pull out of the Barbican if threshold losses are made in two successive years.

Paragraph nine goes on to state that if this were the case, the tenant is entitled to be repaid up to £1m. This would be on top of the £1m the council has agreed to borrow to refurbish the Barbican.

Coun James Alexander, Leader of City of York Council’s Labour opposition group.