A major arts company has been chosen as the front runner in the race to reopen Basildon's Towngate Theatre.

Basildon district councillors on Wednesday voted to enter into negotiations with Hetherington Seelig Theatres, one of two companies which came forward in a bid to bring the theatre back into use.

And if the talks prove successful, the theatre could be open by this time next year.

The company, which runs the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe, would take over the running of the Towngate with the help of a district council subsidy and aims to turn it into a major regional attraction.

A final decision on funding and the overall deal is expected in February.

If successful, the deal could see the building being used as a theatre for the first time since 1998, when it went into voluntary liquidation.

Curtain up? The Towngate Theatre could once again play a part in Basildon life

By Jo Moorhouse

Reporter's e-mail: jo.moorhouse@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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