The man in charge of financial affairs at Margate’s Theatre Royal has quit his job nine months after taking on the role.

Richard Stevens was given the position of business manager in August last year. His appointment followed a national advertising campaign to recruit an artistic director and an executive director, each with a maximum salary of up to £35,000.

Speaking to the Isle of Thanet Extra, Mr Stevens did not want to comment on the reasons for his departure, but revealed he was “sad to leave.”

He said: “The job was extremely hard work but I found it thoroughly interesting and enjoyable.

“The theatre obviously needs to be specific about the type of performance they put on in order to attract a broad audience, but perhaps there is a need to make some compromises to attract some of the previous audience.”

Mr Stevens said he did not have another specific job in mind, but did not rule out the possibility of working with other local venues in the future.

The Theatre Royal will not be appointing his successor immediately, but Art Hewitt, joint artistic director of the Folkestone-based Strange Cargo theatre group, will take on some of Mr Stevens’ former responsibilities in the meantime.

It is hoped a permanent replacement will be announced within the next five months.

Mark Deller, one of the theatre’s trustees, said: “Richard left by mutual agreement and his departure was settled quite amicably.

“I think he found the role fairly challenging in that we operate a very tight staffing structure and that everyone employed by the theatre has to carry out a multitude of roles.

“We are now taking stock and seeing what our urgent needs are. There are certain areas which need strengthening, but that is a challenge with our limited resources.”

Mr Deller insisted the future for the theatre was “very positive” and praised the efforts of artistic director Will Wollen, who began work in July last year.

He added: “Will is doing a terrific job. He is an inspiring director who puts on wonderfully innovative productions and it’s important that we get the right staff to support him.”