A trust has been established to take over the running of Eastbourne's Hippodrome Theatre from the local authority in a move designed to safeguard the future of the historic venue.
Newly-elected trustees of the Eastbourne Royal Hippodrome Trust will prepare a business plan for the theatre and will take control of the building in a staged transfer process.
The trust will organise programmes and events for two years with support from Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) towards building costs, before taking full control in 2014.
EBC leader David Tutt said: "[The transfer] will give new life to this historic and valued venue, helping to re-establish it as a hub for creativity in Seaside and beyond."
