Theatre sees 25-year deal agreed

The arts complex closed briefly because of financial difficulties

A theatre which closed briefly because of financial difficulties is making plans for the next 25 years after a long-term lease was agreed.

Bids to manage the Sevenoaks Playhouse complex were invited last autumn.

Sevenoaks council said on Tuesday that it had given a 25-year lease to Kino Holdings Ltd, which was already running the centre on a short-term basis.

More than 2,000 people took part in a consultation on the future of the complex last year.

Councillor Felicity Broomby said Kino had already shown its commitment to cutting-edge digital technology.

And she said it had put in an "innovative proposal" which the council believed would take the arts facility forward.

She said: "Our decision will be a relief to many as for some time the Playhouse faced an uncertain future.

"However, with a long-term agreement in place, the facility has a bright future, especially if it gets the full support of our local community."

The theatre closed for two months in 2006.