A theatre open for 70 years could shut in less than 12 months.

Worthing Borough Council has revealed the Connaught Theatre is currently “unsustainable as a business”.

Local authority bosses confirmed it is considering closing the historic venue in Union Place, Worthing, in January, and hope a private bidder will take it over.

But council papers have confirmed if no developer comes forward, the theatre, which opened in 1931, should be sold for redevelopment”.

The revelation came in private papers from the Worthing Budgetary Advisory Group.

The first of two options it is considering is to shut it in January and seek any expressions of interest.

The second less popular option is to scrap plays and shows and turn it into a digital cinema.

However this would only exist until a new complex is built in the town, probably at Teville Gate.

The minutes added the Pavilion Theatre would be improved with 1,000 tiered sears, better acoustics and a fly-tower.

Council leader Paul Yallop said the town’s two theatres currently cost £1.2 million a year.

He added there had been local interest in taking over the Connaught, adding: “We are looking at theatre provision and we need to do less but better.

“The general feeling is, with the size of the budget cuts, we cannot afford to do all we are doing.”

Coun Yallop emphasised that nothing had been ruled out yet and a full report was due to be discussed in March.