Campus theatre on 'at-risk' list

The popular centre closed last year

A theatre built in the 1960s has been put on a national "at-risk" register.

The Gardner Arts Centre, based on the University of Sussex campus on the outskirts of Brighton, closed after 38 years due to a lack of funding.

The Theatres Trust has added the Grade II-listed building to its register as one of three new entries this year.

Suzanne McDougall from the trust said: "We are flagging it up so that people don't forget the plight of some of our artistic buildings."

The decision to close the 480-seat venue, which promoted more than 300 events each year, was taken last December.

It followed the withdrawal of funding from Brighton and Hove City Council and increasing competition from other facilities in the city.

The centre opened in 1969 and was one of the first university campus arts centres in England.