Kenton theatre in Henley-on-Thames suffers set back
A campaign to save Oxfordshire's oldest theatre has suffered a set back due to funding.
The Kenton Theatre had hoped to secure a grant of £100,000 from South Oxfordshire District Council to help buy the freehold of the building.
But the Henley-on-Thames venue's application has been recommended for refusal.
The council said budget pressures had left less money for community projects and a decision will be made on 8 July.
The Kenton Theatre board of trustees had entered into an Option to Purchase Agreement to buy the venue from its owners, the Henley Municipal Charities, to secure its independence.
They had six months from 26 January to raise £350,000 to secure the freehold which was part of a £1.5m project to improve facilities, while maintaining the character of the Grade-II listed building.
The theatre is a Georgian building which opened in November 1805 and is the fourth oldest theatre in the country.