Kenilworth's Talisman Theatre has said it is "enormously grateful" for a £100,000 town council grant that could see work on the theatre's planned extension begin this year.

The grant forms part of the £1.3million needed for the redevelopment project.

At the beginning of April Nub News reported that Kenilworth Town Council had awarded the Talisman up to £100,000 through its 'Community Infrastructure Levy'.

Today (April 23) the theatre has released a statement responding to the announcement.

Nigel Elliott, chair of the Talisman Theatre said: "This is an incredibly exciting time. We're proud of the high standard of theatre we produce here however, our 50-year-old building is in need of refurbishment.

"So that we can continue to provide the wonderful plays, musicals and pantomimes the people of Kenilworth expect from us we need to make sure the theatre is fit for the next 50 years.

"We're enormously grateful for the funding we've received from Kenilworth Town Council which, along with other grants and our own fundraising will, we hope, enable us to start work on the first phase this year."

The Talisman Theatre has occupied its current home on Barrow Road since it opened in 1969. The 158-seater theatre received planning permission for a two-storey extension, a new studio and lift in 2019.

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The town council's grant will form part of the £275,000 needed for phase one of the project.

MP for Kenilworth and Southam Jeremy Wright, also a patron said: "Investing in cultural life continues to play an important part in our recovery from the pandemic shutdown of the last twelve months.

"I am heartened therefore to see and happy to support the Talisman Theatre in their development of a new artistic community space which will enhance our cultural opportunities."