A PUBLIC fundraising campaign is being launched to help boost Minehead’s Regal Theatre.

The 1930s theatre, in The Avenue, has already won planning permission from the district council for a new entrance, box office and lift – and is now looking to fund the ‘Lift Off’ of the ambitious project.

The theatre’s Elaine Ross said: “The improvements will herald a new age for the theatre in which it will be able to offer all its public facilities to every member of the community, whatever their mobility needs.

“The new entrance will give the theatre a greater impact at street level and enhance the centre of Minehead in a way which will fulfil the expectations of the community in the 21st Century.”

Prominent members of the community have been invited to give their backing to the scheme at the official launch of the campaign at the Regal on Monday, May 18.

Plans for the enhancements will be on display and theatre bosses will explain how they hope to make their dream a reality.

There will also be a list of donors who have so far contributed to the Regal’s development, information about the new building and full details of the planned fundraising campaign.

Elaine Ross said: “We have become used to pessimistic and negative news about our best loved institutions in these troubled times – but at the Regal Theatre, the news is good.”