Theatre 'could reopen by October'

Local people want the theatre to be known by its original name

A Kent cinema and theatre complex which closed last month because it could not make ends meet could reopen as soon as October, the local council has said.

The deadline for bids to run Sevenoaks Playhouse is 8 September and already 13 groups and individuals have expressed an interest in the business.

"There are some ends to tie up from the previous management," said Sevenoaks District Council leader Peter Fleming.

"But we are determined to reopen as soon as possible."

Old name

The council, which owns the building, is asking the public what they want to happen to the venue.

More than 2,000 people have responded online and at the theatre.

Two themes emerging are that people are keen to see the cinema, in particular, reopened and want the venue to be known by its old name, The Stag, which was dropped two years ago.

The former acting chief executive of the Playhouse, Ray Russell, is working from home to try to put together a consortium of local groups.

"Subject to all manner of things, including funding, they could sub-contract to organisations that would provide the arts programming and managerial services," he said.