Plans have been revived to extend Faversham’s theatre, which trustees say will significantly upgrade its facilities.

The project will provide two new dressing rooms and extra rehearsal and storage space for the Arden.

The theatre committee had already gained planning approval for an identical scheme in 2019, but the permission has since lapsed and has had to be resubmitted.

Now, an appeal to help raise £500,000 for the extension has been launched by venue bosses, who have so far collected £30,000.

The bijou 98-seat site, which was originally constructed in the early-1990s, shares a building with Faversham Pools.

The committee has had the theatre layout re-designed by architects with the help of a side extension, which will blend in with the existing building.

The aim is to make it more practical and comfortable for performers and create valuable storage space.

“It means we can get rid of the scenery storage container outside and take the opportunity to install solar panels on the new roof to be more energy efficient,” said committee member Richard Andrews.

“To that end, we have already spent £10,000 replacing all our old lighting with LEDs.”

A variety of fundraising activities are being planned throughout the year starting with a ball at the Judds Folly Hotel in Ospringe on Friday, January 27, for which a few tickets are still available.

There will be food, wine and entertainment including the band Hullabaloo, table magic, mystery “international entertainers” and a silent auction with a top prize of a beach hut for the weekend in Whitstable.

“We are hoping it will raise about £5,000, but we will be doing more events and have submitted a number of grant applications,” Mr Andrews added.

“We reckon we need to have £100,000 in the bank before we can actually start putting spades in the ground.”

Go to the Arden Theatre's website for more information.