THE charity behind the popular Civic Arts Centre in Oswaldtwistle has taken over the Civic Theatre – and has instantly attracted big names.

The centre and theatre, run from the same building in Union Road, are now being run by Hyndburn Arts Ltd, which has benefited from a grant worth £75,000.

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The theatre’s previous leaseholders, Hyndburn Leisure Trust, was given six months’ notice after Hyndburn Arts Ltd successfully bid to take over the contract to run it.

Creative director at the Civic Arts Centre, Gayle Knight, said: “We are really excited about it and there’s a lot going on .”

A celebratory event will be held on Sunday, where the Civic Arts Centre and Theatre will be relaunched at the first anniversary of Manford’s Comedy Club.

The club is the brainchild of north west comedian Jason Manford, who doesn’t perform but uses the events as a platform to propel up-and-coming stand ups in the limelight.

Gayle said: “He has been supportive of everything we are doing and he wanted to come on Sunday but he’s down south doing The Producers “He said he would come and perform at the earliest opportunity so he’ll be here on May 3.”

The takeover was reported by the Lancashire Telegraph in December, when the council’s deputy chief executive, Joe McIntyre, said: “Hyndburn Arts Ltd has successfully operated the ground floor space over the last three years and approached the council seeking to operate the whole building.

“The council therefore asked both Hyndburn Arts Ltd and Hyndburn Leisure Trust to put forward proposals on how they envisage operating the building in the future.

“Mercer House 1842 was also approached and asked to submit a bid. However declined the invitation.”

Both bids were examined by Councillor Ken Moss, deputy council leader Councillor Paul Cox, and Mr McIntyre.

Hyndburn Arts Ltd will lease the theatre for around 15 years, although the council has been given permission to negotiate a lease lasting up to 25 years.

The charity will be responsible for maintaining the building.

Cllr Moss said: “The Arts Trust have come forward with a workable business plan and will be self-sufficient in three years. It helps the Leisure Trust make the required savings and will help a local business, and the theatre .”

Cllr Moss said the Leisure Trust has been receiving between £20,000 and £50,000 a year to run the theatre, while the Arts Trust requires a one-off council grant of £75,000 split evenly over the next three years.