ENTERTAINMENTS company Apollo Leisure took centre stage yesterday by winning the right to run the North-East's largest theatre.

Apollo Leisure (UK)'s takeover of Sunderland Empire Theatre brings with it the prospect of shows crossing the Atlantic from Broadway to the North-East.

Members of the Empire Theatre Trust, who met at Sunderland Civic Centre, awarded the contract to Apollo to take over the running of the 92-year-old theatre from October 1.

Tenders were invited by the trust in January and Apollo was believed to have been in competition with the Ambassador Theatre Group and one other theatrical management business.

Following the meeting, held behind closed doors, city councillor and trust chairman Ralph Baxter said: "We believe this is the best way forward to secure the future and vitality of the Empire Theatre.

"Apollo Leisure (UK) Limited are a substantial theatrical management company, with a proven track record of attracting major productions, which can only be good news for the people of Sunderland and the region."

Apollo is a subsidiary of American parent company SFX Entertainment, and with its trans-Atlantic connections is considered capable of presenting a stronger production programme than has been possible in recent years at the Empire. The company is believed to be able to tap into the Broadway and US touring circuit.

Apollo is believed to put the emphasis on entertainment, presenting productions that will prove a draw to large numbers of the public.

No job losses are envisaged among the 92-strong workforce at the theatre, who have been concerned about their future, while the management of the Empire was undecided.

A Sunderland City Council spokesman said that if Apollo was successful in bringing increased audiences to the theatre, extra jobs may be created. Apollo runs theatres across the country, including ones in Edinburgh, Manchester and London, where it has staged West End shows since 1977.

The city council will continue to own the building, in High Street West, while Apollo becomes the first private management company in almost 40 years to run the Empire.