Theatre wins £300,000 boost

6:37am Wednesday 20th February 2008

RENEWAL at Morecambe's Winter Gardens theatre has moved a step closer - thanks to a lucky break' £300,000 boost.

The theatre has won the cash to help develop a business plan. And it could open the door to more backing from Whitehall and the National Lottery.

The cash windfall comes after Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Geraldine Smith invited Regional Development Agency chief executive Steve Broomhead and tourism chief James Berresford to visit the Grade Two listed building.

She told the Citizen: "I am delighted this funding has been allocated and look forward to the day when the Winter Gardens will be restored to its former glory And the MP adds: "It's coming together well and a large part of that is down to the sheer determination and hard work of the Friends to save the theatre.

They kept the campaign going when no-one else believed in it and so let's hope that this is their lucky break - they deserve it."

The Friend's of the Winter Gardens were due to meet with Margaret Hodge MP, Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport today (Wednesday).