BOSSES at Cheltenham's newest art gallery and museum have denied it will not be fully staffed when it opens.
Borough councillor Anne Regan (C, Warden Hill) raised concerns that Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum's intended opening this October might be delayed because of a lack of staff.
Ms Regan told other councillors that she was worried about a possible delay.
The museum is set to open on October 5. Major building work was completed last month.
She added: "I'm worried because staffing levels throughout the town have suffered, and we will not be able to deliver a service in time for the opening of the art gallery and museum."
But gallery bosses have dismissed the claims, with cabinet member for sport and culture Rowena Hay (LD, Oakley) describing the worries as nothing more than gossip.
She said: "I think she heard rumours that it wouldn't be fully staffed at its opening.
"It will be staffed, absolutely. There is a full-staff restructure under way at the moment at the art gallery and museum, and that is to ensure it will be fit for purpose when we do open.
"When it is up and running, we will have all the staff needed to deliver a great service to the public.
"It will be open on October 5 as expected. We are well on course for that."
Major building work to Cheltenham's biggest art gallery was completed in May.
Refurbishment of the building started in August 2011, with the work costing more than £6million.
The building on Clarence Street was designed by architects Berman Guedes Stretton, with four new floors housing an extensive fine art collection.
It will be home to the town's tourism services, making it the first port of call for visitors to the town.
Ms Hay added: "The art gallery and museum is part of our culture and our heritage. It will host all our local art work, and national art work, and it will prove to be a massive education opportunity for many people.
"It is a great place for young people to use, and it is such an important resource to our town."
The art gallery and museum will open with an exhibition from Stroud artist Colin Reid, called Casting Brilliance: Colin Reid.
