The future on Maidstone's Hazlitt Theatre is looking distinctly rosier after the government announced its management company is to share in the next batch of Culture Recovery Fund grants.

Parkwood Theatres, which runs the theatre for Maidstone council, will receive £620,000 - to spend across all its four venues.

In November last year, Maidstone council initially decided to cancel its contract with Parkwood, because the company was unable to host any live shows at the theatre in Earl Street due to Covid lockdown, although the council later relented.

The Hazlitt Theatre is among 2,700 venues who will share in the £1.57b support to help them reopen after the sustained closure.

The money is intended to offset the costs as the theatre transitions back to true operating capacity.

Parkwood Theatres managing director Tony Doherty said: "This award is essential in allowing us to now focus on bringing all of our stages back to life.

"We are pleased that the Arts Council has recognised the importance and success of our operations, and are willing to support us in our quest to continue to provide a great range of cultural opportunities."

Parkwood additionally runs the Hawth Theatre in Crawley, The Playhouse in Weston-Super-Mare and the Castle Theatre in Wellingborough.

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