LOTTERY luck could smile on one of the borough's leading amateur drama organisations.

Plans have been drawn to create a new, purpose-built 80-seater theatre to replace Whitefield Garrick's current headquarters in Bank Street.

The scheme, which is expected to go before Bury Council's planning bosses for approval early next year, also involves the creation of ancillary accommodation including dressing rooms, toilets and a lounge-coffee area for patrons during the intervals.

Garrick chiefs have commissioned a local architect to design a new building and assessments are on-going to establish the cost of the proposed new theatre.

Playing to sell-out audiences since 1975, patrons of the Garrick have ploughed more than £30,000 into the building to create a top class 60-seater amateur dramatics venue.

Mr Albert Molineux, Garrick chairman, said: "We have a wonderful facility but many believe we are flogging a dead horse by continuously ploughing money into the maintenance of the building.

"The decision was made to go ahead with plans to create a new one on the same site."

Once final costings have been established - expected to be in the region of £150,000 - the Garrick will apply for National Lottery funding to help towards the cost of the scheme.

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