Hastings: Future of historic White Rock Theatre 'secured'

The White Rock Theatre is one of the largest and most historic venues in Sussex

The future of a historic East Sussex theatre has been "secured", according to the council that owns it.

A new operator has been found to take over the running of the White Rock Theatre in Hastings from February.

Hastings Borough Council said it was pleased "plans are in place" for The Guildhall Trust, based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, to take over the 1,000-seat seafront venue.

The new operator said it aimed to "make the community proud".

Trafalgar Theatres has been running the theatre, which has built in 1927, for the last 15 years.

Andy Batsford, from Hastings Borough Council, said of the new operator: "They have some exciting plans to take the theatre forward and their experience shows they can deliver the vision we have.

"The White Rock has become a firm favourite location in the town with a wide cultural mix for residents and visitors."

Andy Grays, CEO of The Guildhall Trust, said: "We are very excited about becoming the new operator for the White Rock."

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