A venue that is earmarked for closure has been put on a special endangered list.

The charity the Theatres Trust has put the Roundhouse in Dover on its Theatres at Risk Register 2022.

There are plans to close it as part of a £7.75 million refurbishment of the host building, Dover Discovery Centre in Market Square.

These are by the centre's owners Kent County Council, although a closing date has yet to be revealed.

The Roundhouse is Dover's only dedicated theatre and Trust director Jon Morgan said: “Every town should have its own theatre as a vital place where the community can come together and be inspired.

"If the Roundhouse is redeveloped it will leave Dover without such a vital community asset, when is clearly there is desire and demand for it.

"We would urge anyone who owns a theatre building to consider its long-term value as a performance space and work with us to keep these buildings in use for their communities."

The register was launched earlier this month and there is already a Save Our Roundhouse Theatre (SORT) campaign.

The efforts are supported by Dover mayor Gordon Cowan.

He said: "This town centre venue is a valued community asset, as highlighted by the inclusion on the register. Dover community needs more places to go, not fewer.”

A petition was launched last August as part of the campaign, which has received 1,519 names out of a target 2,500.

Kent county councillors voted for the changes last July.

As part of the renovation work, the Poltons Family Centre will move into the building, which houses Dover Library, and a walk-in local and family history archive will be installed.

Archaeology underneath the building, such as the external ruins of the St. Martin’s Le Grand Church and the Classis Britannica Fort, will also be made visible.

As a result of these changes it's been deemed that the Roundhouse Theatre will have to be relocated, leaving Blackfish Theatre Academy, Dover Operatic and Dramatic Society and Dover Youth Theatre without a base.

SORT has prepared a business plan asking for KCC to transfer the theatre to charity in Dover.

From that funding could be applied for to develop new facilities and increase the cultural and entertainment offer in the town.

Meanwhile it encourages people to keep supporting the theatre by attending its shows.

Blackfish Academy is putting on a performance of Shakespeare's Macbeth from 7pm from Wednesday, February 16, to Friday, February18.

Tickets are £10 and available at the door.

KCC says work is ongoing to help find the theatre a new home.

A spokesman said: "Work is ongoing to finalise proposals to transform the Dover Discovery Centre into a modern, vibrant community hub ahead of Kent County Council and Dover District Council submitting a formal planning application.

"As part of the planning process everyone will have an opportunity to have their say on the vision for the new-look centre in a consultation.

"Work is also continuing to help the theatre company find a new home. Meanwhile, they remain at the centre.

"The joint KCC and Dover District Council project aims to create new purpose-built accommodation for essential services used by the local community."