A THEATRE has received £120,000 through a council grant to help cover running costs and pay for building improvements.

The grant by Lyme Regis Town Council to the LymeArts Community Trust, will cover the next four years in helping funding for the Marine Theatre. The council also handed over a £60,000 grant to local area partnership LymeForward.

The Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Owen Lovell presented a cheque to the LymeArts trust chairman, David Edwards, trustee Chas Hall and theatre director Clemmie Reynolds.

Mr Edwards said: “The LymeArts Community Trust are pleased to agree the council’s financial commitment to the theatre.

“We will continue to work together to ensure this valuable asset to the community is well maintained and positively improved so that a broad mix of quality events can be offered.”

Cllr Lovell said: “Since giving the theatre to the trust, the council has always sought to support the activities of the theatre, within reason, for the benefit of the town.”

LymeForward will use its funding to help deliver community planning and engagement in Lyme Regis, and support the council in delivering community-based objectives, such as the residents’ survey group, Lyme Voice, and community engagement through social media.

The grant agreement was signed by Cllr Lovell, town clerk John Wright, and two of LymeForward’s directors, former mayor Sally Holman and Chris Boothroyd.

Mr Boothroyd said: “LymeForward welcomes and appreciates the award of this grant.

"It enables the excellent community work led by Adrian Ragbourne, with the support of a wide range of volunteers, to continue.

“It’s also a strong statement of partnership between the town council and LymeForward to serve as many interests in the town as possible.”

Cllr Lovell added: “After much discussion, the council has accepted LymeForward’s move to a community interest company and the funding is there for the next four years.

“What the future holds, no-one knows at this point in time as there is some uncertainty over the funding from West Dorset District Council.”

Grant agreements were previously signed by Lyme Regis Gig Club, the Hub, Lyme Regis Fossil Festival, Lyme Regis Football Club, and B Sharp.