Talks held over Scarborough seafront theatre

Talks have taken place over the future of a 90-year-old theatre in Scarborough.

The Futurist theatre, on the resort's seafront, was built in 1921 and still stages concerts, shows and films.

But the building is in need of repair and the borough council has set up a task group to discuss its future.

Council officers have held talks with commercial property and theatre industry consultants.

The council said their views would be taken into account when it decides what to do with The Futurist later this year.

In December 1963 the Beatles performed at The Futurist and stars who have trodden the boards at the 2,000-seat theatre since include Morecambe and Wise, Shirley Bassey and Ken Dodd.

The theatre was bought by Scarborough Borough Council in 1985.

A £100,000 subsidy was agreed by the council in November 2009, securing the future of the theatre until at least the end of 2010, but the council said it may not be able to provide any more money.

The council said the task group was exploring all options for the building and would prepare a report with recommendations in the early autumn.

Further task group meetings, which are open to the public, will be held at 1700 BST on 15 June and 17 June in the council chamber at Scarborough Town Hall.

Task group chairman David Jeffels said the sessions "give us an opportunity to put challenging and comprehensive questions to the consultants and to find out the views and ambitions of local stakeholders".

"All the information we gather will assist us in putting together our final report," he said.