CAMPAIGNERS hoping to secure the future of Thurrock's Thameside complex, which includes the borough's theatre, museum and Grays library, have been celebrating after learning the theatre has been given permission to carry on booking acts for another year.

That has been interpreted as Thurrock Council possibly changing its plans to close the complex, move its library and museum services to the civic offices - and closing the threatre.

The campaign to save the theatre, which the council had initially planned to put into the ownership of a community interest company (CIC) but then decided under the previous Conservative administration to close it all down, has been running for several years.

The council's museum move plan

Its members regard the latest news as a huge step towards accomplishing their aim - while Thurrock Nub News understands negotiations to transfer the building to a CIC are now progressing - and have been given impetus following the changoever to a Labour administration in May.

A statement from the Save Your Thameside campaign group says: "We have just heard that the Thameside Theatre has now been told that it can program until the end of December 2025! 

"This is fantastic news, and although it's not out of the woods this is a massive step forward in our campaign to Save Your Thameside for future generations of Thurrock! 

"Our campaign has been going for just over three years now and we will certainly be keeping the pressure on to make sure the Thameside Complex is saved.  

"It's been a long journey and we thank every single one of you for your loyal and continuing support of our campaign. 

"We are always working hard in the background and we have lots of meetings over the next few months working towards the Community Asset Transfer of the Thameside Complex. 

"Thank you once again for your support."