A 100-year-old Sunninghill theatre is set to be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility following support from the local community.

The Novello Theatre, opened in 1920, has served the local community as both a cinema and a theatre for many years.

After a year of hardwork by Save the Novello Theatre campaign group and support from members of the community, the asset of community value will see a transformation.

Although the name of the arts organisation has not been released, organisors have announced that a conditional pledge of £750K has been put forward for the purchase of the Novello and the structural repairs.

Of the 500K needed for the refitting of the theatre and the creation of the community hub, an additional 250K is needed.

The new theatre will include a theatre space inspired by the Cecil Hepworth Playhouse and Nordon Farm.

Facilities proposed also include changing rooms, a workshop meeting room, and a café.

A proposed design for the external façade includes an art deco canopy, similar to the original design when the theatre opened in 1920.

The board at The Cordes Hall – next to the theatre – are hoping to cooperate, providing facilities that will assist the running of the theatre.

In a meeting on Wednesday, September 18, 100 people came together in the Cordes Hall to hear the latest developments.

Peter from the Save the Novello Theatre campaign said: “We’re coming to the end of the beginning. We’re now very confident that the theatre is going to be acquired and be structurally repaired. Having 50 percent of the way in the fundraising target already with an application for funding to the borough and another two donations already there’s a ground swell.

“I am very confident that we are going to get the money in place for this. We’ve thought of most things we need to do and most things that could go wrong so we’re quite excited now.”

Two donations of £100,000, one of £25,000 and one of £10,000, one of £5,000 and some smaller donations.

Peter added: “We’ve got a very clear vision of what we want to achieve. We want to capture the spirit of the old but bring it into the 21st century with 21st century functionality.

Alan Everard, chairman of the campaign said: “We will know by December if it’s going to happen because the theatre will have to be bought by then. Whether it’s bought by the appeal which we don’t want to happen or the charitable trust which we do.

“It’s a great once in a life time opportunity for the community and there’s no way that it’s not going to happen.”