Seafront venue's future uncertain after sudden closure

Hunstanton's historic Princess Theatre has closed just a year after being signed over to new management.

The seafront theatre has shut and its future hangs in the balance while shows booked to perform there over the coming weeks are left in the dark.

The theatre had been run by West Norfolk Council which handed-over the reins last September when it decided it could no longer afford to subsidise the venue to the tune of �350,000 a year.

The council leased the premises to C and R Cinemas which runs the Majestic in King's Lynn. Owner Paul Jervis said at the time: 'It is our aim to emulate the live programme of entertainment that the council has been so successful with over the years and to introduce a new programme of cinema.'

But at least one production company has been left out of pocket as a result of the sudden closure.

A notice has been put on the Princess website saying it would be closed 'until further notice.'

A meeting between Hunstanton Town and West Norfolk councils is due to be held next week to discuss the future of the theatre.

See tomorrow's EDP for the full story