A COUNCIL will spend £300,000 to keep its town's theatre open while it seeks a new operator.

As reported in The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council will continue to subsidise the town's Civic Theatre until July next year.

The council has marketed the Civic Theatre as a going concern after deciding to withdraw its subsidy as a result of budget cuts.

Nine theatre companies or groups have expressed an interest in buying the 103-yearold venue.

The council, which has owned the theatre since 1966, wants to find a new operator after it cut £19.5m from its budget over four years.

Last week, the authority decided the council would continue to operate the theatre until July next year.

It has emerged that the council has allocated £300,000 towards the ongoing cost of the venue, and a report will be made to the cabinet group with further options on the theatre's future.