Bush Theatre in Shepherds Bush relocation

The Bush Theatre will move to its new home in 2011

A west London theatre, which has spent almost 40 years situated above a pub in Shepherds Bush, has been granted approval to relocate to a former library.

The Bush Theatre will move to its more spacious home next to Shepherds Bush Market in October 2011.

Its current location, in the dining room of the Bush Hotel, has experienced water leaks and power cuts.

A theatre spokeswoman said only part of the funding for the move was in place.

'New life'

"We already have some of the money for the relocation in place and there's more to raise in order to refurbish and fit out this beautiful new home," she added.

Theatre staff have been working with Hammersmith and Fulham Council over the past two years to gain consent for the move from the Church of England which owns the former library.

Council leader Stephen Greenhalgh said: "We are looking forward to breathing new life into the market and we can't wait to secure the Bush's future with this move.

"The area now has a brand new, state-of-the-art library at Westfield and a new home for the much-loved Bush Theatre," he added.