CELIA WIGG Eye Theatre will close in July and is to be put on the market as a private house. Owner and artistic director Tom Scott has struggled for the past two years to save the 85-seat theatre – one of the smallest in the region which he established in 1991.

CELIA WIGG

Eye Theatre will close in July and is to be put on the market as a private house.

Owner and artistic director Tom Scott has struggled for the past two years to save the 85-seat theatre – one of the smallest in the region which he established in 1991.

In February last year, he advertised it for sale at £345,000 but there have been no takers. He also tried to set up a consortium to buy the theatre, circulating details to 400 people on the mailing list, and offering to stay on.

The asking price included an adjoining building that could be used to expand the theatre, or provide other facilities, but there was not enough support.

Mr Scott has abandoned hope of the theatre continuing, and said the last production – his 97th– will be Love Child, which plays from June 29-July 9.

He and his wife Helen then intend moving into the theatre, housed in the Georgian assembly rooms of the former White Lion coaching in Broad Street, in Eye.

Mr Scott told Friends of Eye Theatre in a letter: "I have struggled for the last couple of years in the face of, frankly, appalling box office figures to keep the theatre open. But I have finally had to admit defeat."

He is asking £229,000 for the main building, and £129,000 for the adjoining property.

The theatre will hold drama classes from June 25 until July 29.

Call the Eye Theatre box office on 01379 870519.