A well-known theatre company is moving on from the venue it has run for seven years.

The Prodigal Theatre company has announced it will leave the Nightingale Theatre, above the Grand Central Bar in Surrey Street, Brighton, when its contract runs out in February 2010.

Actor-managers Alister O’Loughlin and Miranda Henderson said they made the decision following the growth of the company.

Mr O’Loughlin said: “It has been fantastic working here, but it is simply that Prodigal has grown so much that we are now at a point where we can’t do both.

“We have tried to benefit as many people as possible and just think now would be the right time to hand it on to someone else.”

Since Prodigal took on the theatre in 2002, its work has been made possible through the support of the lease-holders InnBrighton Ltd, which provides the space rent free, as well as funding from the Arts Council of England and Brighton and Hove City Council.

It has supported the development of more than 80 new pieces of theatre and dance.

Gavin George, chief executive of InnBrighton Ltd, said: “My company has been in grass roots arts since it was founded and this is a perfect example of the platform this business likes to provide.

“I am expecting to be inundated by people wanting to take on the contract given the fabulous reputation Prodigal Theatre has given the venue.

“We have been extremely happy with the work they have put on and we are very sad to see them go.”

Mr O’Loughlin said: “As far as we know, there is no other model of theatre like this in the country.

“We were a young emerging company seven years ago, who were given an amazing opportunity and we are now seen as an established theatre here.”

This year Prodigal Theatre will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a number of special events.

The company has also been asked to become associate artists with the Brighton Festival and Dome.

On the final day of the Brighton Festival the theatre, along with Brighton Festival Fringe, will hold at open house at the venue to discuss theatre management and anyone who is interested in putting themselves forward to take on the venue is invited to attend.

Prodigal Theatre will also put on two shows during the festival, The Tragedian Trilogy on May 3 at The Theatre Royal, Brighton and Ten Thousand Several Doors, from May 6 to 15 at The Nightingale Theatre.