Council considers future of Marina Theatre in Lowestoft

7th February 2010

The future of an historic theatre in Suffolk is being looked at by councillors next week. The Marina Theatre in Lowestoft – which was built in the 1870s – is run by Waveney District Council which saved it from demolition in 1985. But the council is concerned that the theatre’s finances pose a “serious risk” to the council’s budget.

The council’s cabinet on Thursday 11 February will look at whether the theatre should be handed over to a trust or private firm. A report to the cabinet says: “The Marina Theatre has posed and continues to pose a serious risk to the council in terms of financial performance, with the council’s approved budget not being met for several years.”

But the council has not ruled out retaining the theatre. The Friends of the Marina Theatre is urging the council to pass the Marina over to some form of theatre trust – which supporters say has worked successfully in other towns.

Source: BBC News