SOUTHAMPTON City College is raising the curtain on a new campus theatre available for use by community groups.

The 176-seat venue opens for the academic year next month thanks to an £80,000 cash injection from the city's regeneration project.

College chiefs say the auditorium will initially be used for lectures and seminars, but plans are already under way to hire it out for performances. Its city centre location, on the St Mary's campus, is expected to prove a major attraction.

College estates manager John Cubbin said: "It will be a shared facility with the local community, with opportunities for local groups to have a large performance venue.

"The college will offer whatever possible technical assistance and help with organisation."

The venue is likely to benefit students who currently study theatre technology courses at the college's maritime centre at Woolston.

Mr Cubbin said it would be a major part of an expanding programme of performing arts.

Students are already involved in helping outside theatre groups stage performances such as a forthcoming production of Titanic by Eastleigh Youth Theatre. The show takes place at The Point in Eastleigh from August 26 to September 4.

The regeneration grant will also help with the building of an adjoining exhibition hall, due to be finished by Christmas.

Construction of the theatre completes the transformation of an old workhouse chapel that became an engineering workshop in the 1950s. If local theatre groups want to use the theatre, they should call Lawrence Cosnett on 01703 577426.

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