Outgoing Norwich Theatre Royal chief executive Peter Wilson is set to champion a theatre venue in London's West End.

Mr Wilson, who will leave the Theatre Royal at the end of the year after 25 years, is the founder of PW Productions which is behind the New Arts Theatre project.

It will see the existing Arts Theatre in Leicester Square completely revamped to become the 400-seat New Arts Theatre.

Mr Wilson, whose career in theatre spans four decades, said there were ambitious plans for the venue.

He said: 'The New Arts Theatre will be the culmination of all I have learned and loved, operating on a scale small enough to take great risks, and influential enough to create a new way of approaching and delivering culture and entertainment in a great city.

'No other London theatre has the Arts' history; no other theatre has its potential; no other theatre commands the same affection and respect.

'I relish the challenge of moulding, in company with my friends and colleagues, great theatre in a great capital.'

Mr Wilson set up the London-based PW Productions in 1983 and the company is responsible for shows including The Woman in Black and An Inspector Calls.

He became chief executive of Norwich Theatre Royal in 1992 and has had a huge impact on the city venue and many other Norfolk arts organisations.

One of the biggest milestones under his tenure was the theatre's £10m refurbishment project in 2007.

The Theatre Royal is also currently on the cusp of opening Stage Two, its purpose built theatre education centre.

Mr Wilson also played a key role in the creation of Norwich performing arts venue The Garage.

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Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk