A firm commitment to securing the Fairfield Halls as the borough's No1 entertainment complex is being demanded by the council's Labour opposition.

Gerry Ryan, Labour's deputy leader, claimed the lack of a clear vision for the Fairfield was leading increasing numbers of people to believe it was becoming the poor relation in overall council plans to regenerate the town centre.

While the ruling Conservatives have always maintained they back the complex, Councillor Ryan says its future has been uncertain since shortly after the Tories were elected in 2006.

This was when a prospective deal between the council and Countryside Properties was abandoned by the developers.

That deal, brokered by Labour, would have seen a large scale upgrading of the 1960's building in Park Lane while protecting the main concert hall with its nationally acclaimed acoustics.

The redevelopment would have been paid for by Countryside Properties in return for them being allowed to build around 1,000 apartments on the site.

Cllr Ryan is submitting four demands to the council asking for:

A clear statement to be made as to where the council wants to take the Fairfield over the next 10 years.

A clear building strategy to be put together with an agreement on how this would be funded.

It to agree to fund the Fairfield with an annual revenue grant.

It to make a decision on whether the Fairfield will become part of the proposed partnership between the council and John Laing to regenerate key council-owned sites in the town centre.

Cllr Ryan said: “It has struck us that while there are an awful lot of regeneration projects going on in the town centre, Fairfield seems to have been left behind.

“We don't want it to become the poor relation – it should be a key part of the regeneration strategy for the town.

“Fairfield is a crucial part of what Croydon is and the council needs to act positively to protect this fantastic facility for the town.”

In response, Cllr Steve Hollands, cabinet member for culture and sport, reinforced the authority's commitment to the Fairfield.

But, he said, the future hinged on the result of the inquiry into the Gateway site in East Croydon, which is expected next week.

Once the result is known a clear strategy for the Fairfield's future can be drawn up, he promised.

Cllr Hollands also accused his rival of double standards.

He said: “It is interesting to hear him calling for a grant as it was Labour who withdrew the £1.2 million grant Fairfield used to have, something which nearly brought it to its knees.”