Hayley MaceStaff at a Lowestoft theatre have been given official confirmation that the council-run venue will soon be changing hands.Waveney District Council announced in the spring that it was looking for alternative options for the management of the Marina Theatre and yesterday the council officially confirmed that that it is seeking expressions of interest to take over the venue's day-to-day management.Hayley Mace

Staff at a Lowestoft theatre have been given official confirmation that the council-run venue will soon be changing hands.

Waveney District Council announced in the spring that it was looking for alternative options for the management of the Marina Theatre and yesterday the council officially confirmed that that it is seeking expressions of interest to take over the venue's day-to-day management.

Stephen Ardley, Waveney's portfolio holder with responsibility for the theatre, said that finding a management partner would help the Marina move forward.

He said: 'This is a way of sustaining the Marina as a successful theatre while preserving the high quality programme of the shows it produces.

'Importantly the council will retain creative control to ensure a broad cultural appeal, and will continue to contribute funds. However we are keen to offer another organisation, such as a social enterprise or private partner, the opportunity to manage the theatre and take it to levels that, as a council, we are unable to achieve.'

The Friends of the Marina Theatre group has already held meetings to discuss its interest in taking on the theatre, and a committee will be set up to progress the idea of a possible management trust.

The official process for finding a partner will start tomorrow and all expressions of interest must be received by July 22.