IT looks like there will be no immediate solution or news on the future of Thurrock's threatened Thameside complex and what will happen to its much-loved theatre, museum and library.

During the past couple of years supporters of the complex, and particularly the theatre, have been campaigning for it to be saved rather than its services dissipated or spread across the borough as outlined in a Thurrock council cost-saving plan.

And in January it looked as if the council was ready to hand over the asset to locals as a scheme to pass the building into the hands of a newly created local community interest company found favour.

That proposal was largely endorsed at a council meeting in March and residents were told that a decision was likely in July, prompting huge optimism that the theatre and complex would be saved.

However, in July, campaigners' hopes nosedived when it became clear as a decision on the theatre's future has been delayed. Residents and campaigners were shocked and a statement from the Save Your Thameside campaign said: "Last month we told you that we were "nearly there"! We were, but now we're not!

It transpired that a mystery company, about whom little details have been given, had expressed an interest in taking over the building.

The council reported to the campaigners and backers of the new plan that no decision could be made until a bid was received and that an outcome might be expected in September.

That now seems unlikely, leaving the fate of the theatre likely to be in the balance for weeks, if not months, to come.

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The council has been resolutely tightlipped about what is happened but today (Tuesday, 20 september), after renewed pressure from Thurrock Nub News for an update, a brief statement was issued and attributed to Cllr Mark Coxshall, the acting leader of the council.

Cllr Coxshall, who is also cabinet member for regeneration and external affairs, says: "Bidders are still in the process of submitting their business cases.

"Based on those submissions the preferred bidder will then be invited to submit a final business case taking into account further due diligence and responding to any questions arising from the initial submissions.

"A final decision will be made at that stage."

Relevant stories:

Call for council to ensure continuity of service: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/protest-calls-for-council-to-change-its-place-and-save-the-thameside-theatre-and-complex-or-at-least-ensure-replacement-facilities-are-in-place-before-it-is-levelled

Councillors back their decision not to save theatre:https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/councillors-defend-decision-not-to-save-the-thameside-theatre-and-cultural-complex

Star tells why the Thameside is close to his heart: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/borough-born-russell-brand-is-backing-the-39save-the-thameside39-campaign-while-one-of-this-year39s-stars-talkls-of-the-39love-and-joy39-the-theatre-brings-to-his-heart

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Council rejects signatures of petition to save the Thameside https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/council-rejects-thousands-of-names-on-petition-calling-for-debate-in-bid-to-save-the-thamesidetheatre-councillors-are-described-as-39cowards39