THE revival of a troubled arts centre finally got under way yesterday.

Bosses at Stockton's Arc announced that they have been given a licence to use the building, which paves the way for the centre's transformation.

It is hoped that the venue could reopen in the autumn as planned.

The Dovecot Street centre opened in January 1999 at a cost of £9.5m, but closed two years later after the Arts Council refused to give it further subsidies to stop money haemorrhaging from the venture.

Now, Kevin Parker, the new director of the Arc, said the company set up to relaunch the venue could start planning a comeback.

He said: "We have been anticipating this news for the past few weeks and I am thrilled to announce that we are now in the building.

"We want to get people using the building as soon as possible.

"There are loads of young people, artists and musicians in the region who will benefit from the educational facilities available at the new Arc and we want them to use the building straight away."

After the initial opening four years ago, critics claimed that the venue failed to attract sufficient audiences because of its obscure programming, odd opening hours, poor marketing and bad location.

The reopening of the centre has been backed by Northern Arts and Stockton Borough Council, but neither will inject more cash into the Arc until it proves it can operate as a commercial venture.