A THEATRE'S former catering manager has strenuously denied that he left the post by mutual agreement.

Last week, a spokesman for Durham's Gala Theatre said that Peter Bradley had left less than a month after the relaunch of its restaurant.

The spokesman said that Mr Bradley, former head of catering at the Ministry of Defence and West Ham Football Club, had departed amicably following a three-month probationary period.

He said the catering manager and Durham City Council, which runs the Gala, had reached a mutual decision that he was unsuitable for the job, after the council decided to change the restaurant's direction.

But yesterday, Mr Bradley said it had been the council's decision.

He said: "I never walked out - I was made redundant based on commercial decisions."

Mr Bradley, of Langley Park, Durham, also denied being on probation for three months.

The restaurant was re-launched as The Studio last month after its predecessor, The Dining Room, failed to attract customers. It aimed to offer pre-theatre, bistro-style meals, but will now concentrate on corporate functions.

The council took over the theatre's running last year after its management company, The Entertainment Team, went into liquidation with debts of £700,000.

Chief executive Colin Shearsmith has admitted that council taxpayers will ultimately have to start contributing to it.

Last night, a council spokeswoman said: "The city council does not discuss individual staff circumstances."