A FINAL decision whether to hand over the day-to-day running of Taunton’s Brewhouse Theatre to a community group will be made tonight (December 4).

Members of Taunton Theatre Association showcased their plans to a Taunton Deane Council scrutiny committee last month in the hope of taking over the 352-seater venue.

The committee backed the plan and the matter will now be looked at by an executive panel made up of eight councillors who will decide whether to give the group the green light to run the theatre.

Subject to approval by the executive committee, Taunton Theatre Association says it looks forward to opening the doors of the Brewhouse permanently next year.

Leader of Taunton Deane Council, Cllr John Williams, and Cllr Norman Cavill, who looks after the economic development and arts scene, are two of the people who will decide whether the group is given the reins of the theatre.

In the online application to run the Brewhouse, Taunton Theatre Assocation says the yearly running costs of the theatre are an estimated £350,000.

It says 400 people have registered an interest in volunteering and it would employ ten-12 people in a variety of roles, from a chief executive to café staff.