THE Empire could soon be striking back in entertainment stakes after a £1m funding pledge.
Bob Symonds, newly-appointed leader of Sunderland City Council, said the authority's seven figure backing of the city's Empire Theatre would help to draw further support from the Government, Europe, and the arts and entertainment world.
It could see the Empire expand its stage to host some of the top West End musicals.
The theatre, which opened in 1907, has been run by entertainment company Clear Channel for the past two years.
Coun Symonds said the development of the theatre would help to draw people to Wearside for weekend breaks and improve the city's evening economy.
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