The future management of Stoke-on-Trent's two main theatres is being reviewed – which could see the end of a £280,000-a-year taxpayer subsidy.

Hanley's Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall are both currently run by Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) but the company's contracts with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which owns the venues, comes to an end in September 2026.

The council is now in talks with ATG about the future of the venues, and leaders hope to secure a deal which will completely remove the current subsidy, in line with a previously agreed budget saving. But council chiefs also want to ensure the Regent can continue to attract big West End Shows, with 'higher profile acts' coming to the Victoria Hall, to boost the city centre economy.

Other council aims include a requirement for the operator to invest in the buildings, the transfer of building risk to the operator, and a contract length of between 15 and 25 years.

ATG has been running the Victoria Hall since 1998 and the Regent Theatre since 1999. A decision on the future operation of the venues is due to be made early this year to allow sufficient lead-in time before September 2026.

Regent Theatre, in Hanley, first opened as a cinema in 1929 (Nub News).

A city council spokesperson said: "We are in discussion with Ambassador Theatre Group about the future of the two venues when the current arrangements end. We are also taking advice on the best way to secure best value for the future management of the venues, post September 2026.

"We currently pay a subsidy of £280,000 per year but we anticipate that will end when the current contracts end, as per a previous year's budget savings proposal. We are quietly confident that the venues can be operated successfully in the future without the current subsidy."

The Victoria Hall dates back to 1888, while the Regent first opened as a cinema in 1929. Both venues underwent major refurbishments in the late 1990s as part of Hanley's Cultural Quarter programme.

Cabinet members will receive an update on the Regent and Victoria Hall at their meeting on Tuesday, as part of a wider report on music and entertainment venues in Stoke-on-Trent.

The council is also drawing up a business case for investment in the King's Hall in Stoke, the third biggest indoor venue in the city, in order to 'maximise commercial income'.

A recent review by local music promoter Mike Lloyd found that while the hall could be a major moneyspinner for the council, it was in need of refurbishment from the stage backwards, with the current facilities for artists and musicians 'totally unfit for purpose'.

Mr Lloyd believes that improvements such as a redesigned stage, revamped dressing rooms and new sound and lighting equipment would help the King's Hall attract more shows and concerts.

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