A decision will be made on the future of the Astor Theatre in Deal on Monday.

The town council will be revealing who it wants to run the venue, subject to the details of the lease being sorted out.

Mayor, Cllr Bill Gardner, said: “I will be announcing which of the two organisations we have chosen following a meeting in private to discuss the lease and who we are going to select.

“We can then press ahead with plans to reopen the theatre.”

Mr Gardner said they did not expect it to be back in business until the new year but stressed how important it was to get the doors open

Deal Arts Management, one of the contenders to run the theatre, announced this week that it has the backing of Lord Astor of Hever for its proposals.

Kate Hayes-Watkins from the group said: “Lord Astor has agreed to become the patron of the theatre if we are given the opportunity to run it.”

Mrs Hayes-Watkins contacted Lord Astor to ask him about the 1945 bequest of the theatre by his grandfather to the people of Deal.

She was invited to meet him at the House of Lords to discuss the plans for the building.

“He was extremely concerned about what had happened to the theatre and was very supportive of our cause,” said Mrs Hayes-Watkins.

“He was impressed by the proposals and plans put forward by Deal Arts Management and has now agreed to be patron.”

James Tillett, chief executive of Deal Arts Management, said “We have had so many letters and calls of support from local people and to now have Lord Astor agree to become our patron is a tremendous boost.

“If we are successful it means that the Astor Coat of Arms will once again have a place in reminding everyone of the generous gift from the family in 1945 and that they are still supporting the artistic community in Deal today,” added James Tillett.

Theatre producer Kevin Wood from Walmer is the other person short-listed to run the theatre.