Town pledges over £117k in bid to buy Stag Theatre

More than £117,000 has been pledged by supporters in a bid to help secure the future of an arts theatre in Kent.

Sevenoaks Town Council said more than 600 community pledges had been made over the past month, surpassing its target of £100,000.

The local authority wants to purchase the freehold of the Stag Theatre from Sevenoaks District Council, saying the move would help safeguard the venue for future generations.

Mayor of Sevenoaks Victoria Granville said: "Many thanks to the hundreds of people who have pledged their support for Sevenoaks Town Council's plans to purchase the freehold of the Stag."

She added: "Your support is a tremendous vote of confidence in the Stag and its important contribution to our local community."

The council said every donation would help protect the venue as a key cultural asset and ensure it remained at the heart of community life.

It added ownership of the freehold would provide long-term security for the site, remove uncertainty over future landlord decisions and help attract investment to improve the venue and the wider town.

The Stag is home to a theatre, cinema and the House in the Basement youth café.

The town council said it played an important role in Sevenoaks' cultural life and the local economy.

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