THE uncertainty over the future of York's Barbican Centre is hitting visitor numbers and the situation is "worsening", the Evening Press can reveal.

Chiefs at the leisure and concert venue have admitted that membership numbers and fitness suite users are falling for the first time.

That is because users are unclear over what the future holds for the centre, which is due to be transformed in a massive revamp next year.

Total Leisure Management (TLM) which runs the Barbican, on behalf of City of York Council, is expecting to make a £100,000 loss as a result of the current worrying trend, and chief today have admitted that the situation is "challenging".

Shane Chalmers, head of TLM, said it was "understandable" in the current situation that there would be some fluctuation in fortunes.

He said: "There is still some nervousness around. This is the first time that membership has fallen and this is despite promotions.

"But there are plans for a new pool and we are fairly confident that once we are able to tell the public what's happening, the situation will change.

"It is quite a challenging time at the moment but, as far as we are concerned, it is business as usual. We are just trying to keep going."

When asked if the centre would run at a loss this year, Mr Chalmers said it was difficult to say before conceding that: "figures of £100,000 are being bandied around".

City of York Council leader Steve Galloway said: "We have accepted all along that this is going to be a difficult time for the Barbican.

"The preferred bidder has been urged to get their planning application in as quickly as possible and we hope to receive it in the next three weeks."

Updated: 09:57 Saturday, November 01, 2003