Plans for a major upgrade of the Little Theatre in Nairn are to receive a community grant of £80,000 from Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE).

The project, by theatre owners the Nairn Drama Club, aims to provide a properly serviced, small multi-use arts venue to serve the town and its surrounding communities.

The building will be extended to accommodate an expanded auditorium and stage with improved acoustics and all-abilities access.  New seating will be more comfortable and have improved stage views, as well as being retractable to allow flexible use of the auditorium. A new entrance foyer will include exhibition and meeting areas, coffee and bar area and new changing and public toilet facilities.

The upper level will have space for meetings, rehearsals, workshops and storage, and a new lift will allow all-abilities access throughout the building.

With the improved theatre the club plans to increase the frequency and quality of the productions, and increase the number of young people getting involved by providing training workshops.

Frances Hendry of the Nairn Drama Club, said the project will make the theatre more attractive to audiences, touring performers and local groups.  She added:  "We are delighted with the support that INE has given us at every stage in developing this project.  Now that the work is going ahead it will provide a great asset to the local community, whether performers or theatre-goers. With larger, better sound-proofed rehearsal spaces, we will be able to cater far better for junior workshops and increase the number of young people and children getting involved in productions."

Confirming the grant, Marie Mackintosh of INE's strengthening communities team said: "We were very impressed with the plans for the theatre and I am pleased we are able to give the project our support.  The Nairn Little Theatre has become an important Highland venue for all sorts of theatre performances and has served its community very well.  While some may be sad to see it change, it is important to build on that success and secure the future of the theatre and the benefits it provides for the community.  This is a very exciting development indeed."