Worthing theatre could become "community run" (From The Argus)

Worthing theatre could become "community run"

12:10pm Thursday 17th March 2011 in News

An historic theatre under threat of closure could be run by the community.

Worthing Borough Council has revealed the town's Connaught Theatre, which has been used as a place to entertain people for 70 years, is currently unsustainable as a business.

Desperate to save the venue in Union Place, Worthing, Jon Woodley has started the Save Worthing's Theatres campaign.

The 26-year-old theatre consultant hopes to persuade the local authority to run it as a community trust.

He will map out his cause at a meeting of the council's cabinet on Monday where he hopes to persuade bosses to place the cash-strapped venue into the hands of the people.

The trust could extend to the town's Pavilion and Assembly Rooms too, as the council looks at ways to reduce the £ 1.2 million it spends on running its theatres every year.

Mr Woodley said he has had the support of thousands of people and draws inspiration from Worthing s Dome cinema, which was an example of a community saving an important landmark.

The meeting will take place in the Gordon Room at the town hall at 6pm.