Protesters have vowed to continue fighting against the closure of a west London theatre.

The Beck Theater in Hayes will close on January 13 next year following a dispute over its lease between landlord Hillingdon Council and operator Trafalgar Theatres.

At a rally Saturday, protesters highlighted the sense of community the theater brought to the area.

Hillingdon Council said it was seeking new management for the site.

The local authority said it had offered to renew Trafalgar’s lease for a “pepper rent” and remain responsible for repairs to the building, but would not continue to pay the subsidy.

He said it was “no longer appropriate with public finances under such pressure” and noted that Trafalgar Theaters was owned by a for-profit organization that paid dividends.

Absent a deal, Trafalgar’s contract would end in January and the theater would close while commercial theater consultants find new management, the council said.

But pressure group Back the Beck accused the council of refusing to accept Trafalgar’s offer of a subsidy-free deal on a three-year trial.

The local authority denies this.

Trafalgar has regularly disputed the council’s claims and insists it offered to operate without subsidies.

Back the Beck also said it was concerned the land would be sold to make way for flats.

Speaking outside Uxbridge tube station, Back the Beck campaigner Jonathan Haynes told BBC London: “We have so many people coming to the Beck, many of whom are disabled.

“Tickets are affordable and there is good parking.

“It really creates a sense of community, and in an area where there is a lot of ethnic diversity, this place brings people together.”

John McDonnell, independent MP for Hayes and Harlington, told the BBC: “They believe the council has another agenda, which is possibly to allow the theater to close and then sell the land for development.

“We heard that the current operator has offered to run the Beck Theater without subsidies. Any other municipality in the country would accept that deal.”

Ian Edwards, Conservative leader of Hillingdon Council, denied the local authority was refusing to accept a new unsubsidized lease.

He told BBC London: “That’s not true. If they (Trafalgar) want to make me that offer, I will accept it tomorrow.”

“The council is willing to rent this property at a very low price, being responsible for the exterior and structural repair, but without operating subsidy.”

The council added that it would work tirelessly to ensure the long-term stability of the venue as a commercial theatre.

The Beck Theater was built by the city council in 1977.