A PENSIONER has started a campaign to force a theatre to introduce concessions for the over-60s.

Gordon Evans, 73, from West Water Way, Didcot, said he was disgusted to find out the publicly-funded Cornerstone Arts Centre offered no standard reduced rates for pensioners – yet cut prices for people on benefits.

Dr Evans is boycotting productions at the South Oxfordshire District Council-run venue until it changes its policy.

The arts centre provides discounts for students and people on income support, job seekers allowance, working tax credit, and housing benefit.

But in line with the district council’s Leisure Pass scheme, it does not reduce rates for over-60s who have not been awarded pensions tax credit.

Dr Evans said people who had not contributed towards the arts centre’s construction and running costs got reduced entry fees, while older people who had paid council tax for decades were being penalised. He said: “It does not seem right. All the people I have spoken to are pretty disgusted with it all.

“The Cornerstone should be engaging with the over-60s to encourage them to tell their friends about it. That is the way the market develops.”

He added: “Pensioners tend to have a lower income than other people.”

The district councillor responsible for the Cornerstone, Bill Service, said he did not see why over-60s should be treated any differently. He said: “The question we have got to ask ourselves is why should they get a concessionary rate?

“The Cornerstone costs over £400,000 a year to run, and it was not felt right that concessions are given to OAPs. The taxpayer is still paying.

He added: “If we look at the whole district, there are not many areas of deprivation. If you look at the low take-up of bus travel tokens, it shows how reasonably well off the area is.”

Centre director Emma Dolman has spoken to Age Concern and investigated concessionary rates charged by similar venues.

She said: “This is constantly being looked at in line with the council’s pricing policy.”

Prices for events at the Cornerstone vary, as does the concessionary discount for those on benefits. Next month comedian Jason Manford is performing. Tickets are £15 (£13.50 concs).

In Oxford, the North Wall arts centre, Oxford Playhouse and Phoenix Picturehouse all offer concessions to over-60s, while Oxford’s New Theatre offers them for women over 60 and men over 65.

didcot@oxfordmail.co.uk