New life for ageing amphitheatre

The last event was staged in 1968

Scarborough's historic open air theatre which has been left to deteriorate for more than 20 years could reopen as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment.

The project forms part of a plan to transform the North Bay area into a major tourist attraction.

Plans for the 7,000-seater theatre include covered seating, new stages, 'dancing' water fountains and a floating fireworks pontoon.

Reaction to the plans, by developers Benchmark, has been positive.

Scarborough Forum for Tourism said it hoped it would give the town further national and international recognition.

'Lavish musicals'

The developers anticipate between one and three events being held at the site over the summer months.

The theatre, at Northstead Manor Gardens, was built in 1932.

In its heyday it was an important theatrical venue of national repute staging lavish musicals with casts, largely amateur, of up to 200. The last staged event was in 1968.

Since then it has been unused and has fallen into disrepair.

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Theatre given new hope

Graham North, chairman of Scarborough Forum for Tourism, said: "For Scarborough to survive economically and for the tourism industry to grow we must progress schemes such as this as quickly as possible."

The plans, which have been recommended for approval, will be discussed by Scarborough council's planning and development committee later.