Millions sought to revamp theatre

A previous bid to restore the theatre collapsed

A fresh bid is being made to fund a complete overhaul of Scotland's oldest working theatre.

A previous attempt collapsed in 2006 after Dumfries and Galloway Council withdrew its funding from plans for the Theatre Royal in Dumfries.

Now the Dumfries Theatre Royal Trust is looking to secure £3m to help resurrect the scheme.

Trust Chairman Howard Hann said the project was too important not to try to revive it.

A major funding package between Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Scottish Arts Council and the European Regional Development Fund to build a new theatre was agreed three years ago.

That particular project was refused planning permission in July 2005.

A revised scheme was subsequently submitted and approved the following year.

Town regeneration

However, it required an additional council contribution and the authority baulked at the escalating costs and the project ultimately collapsed.

Mr Hann said an upgrade of the 216-year-old theatre could play a major part in helping regenerate the town centre.

"One of the big problems with Dumfries is the night time economy," he said.

"There is not that much to do in Dumfries of an evening and that needs to be improved greatly."

The theatre is currently owned and run by the Guild of Players.

They have a busy schedule of events at the theatre in the weeks ahead.