Councillors vote to buy bankrupt Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton

The theatre went into administration in February

Councillors in Somerset have voted in favour of buying and re-opening the bankrupt Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton.

Since it closed in February, the authority has been negotiating with administrators to buy its lease.

Taunton Deane Borough Council, which already owns the land, has now voted in favour of buying the 61-year lease.

Conservative council leader John Williams said he was "very pleased" that councillors voted to save the theatre at a meeting on Tuesday.

He said: "It's balancing the use of public funds against community benefit.

"I'm glad to say that sufficient members decided to get the show on the road."

Liberal Democrat councillors at the meeting argued that the Brewhouse was not "fit for purpose" and should be sold with a new theatre built.

Leader of the Lib Dems, Jefferson Horsley, said the council should use the money it is already spending to buy a "clapped-out" venue and build a new theatre "that is up for delivering entertainment and arts in the 21st century".

The council now plans to hand over the running of the arts venue to a charitable trust or community organisation.