A COUNCIL is to spend £100,000 improving a theatre that opened two years ago.

Durham City Council hopes to make the £14m Gala Theatre, which is getting an estimated £650,000 subsidy this year, more attractive to theatregoers.

The Liberal Democrat-controlled authority's plann-ed revamp includes moving the box office, refurbishing the bar and installing a second cinema screen.

Currently, the theatre's cafe is at the main entrance while tickets are sold next to the Tourist Information Centre, within the complex.

The plan is to relocate the box office so that visitors see it when they arrive in the building and to incorporate the cafe in the bar area.

The council leader, Councillor Sue Pitts, said the plans would take the layout back to what was originally planned before it was changed by the Entertainment Team, the company originally hired to run theatre, which collapsed with debts of £700,000 shortly after the venue's official opening by the Queen.

"We will have a much more professional, and customer and staff-friendly, system," she said

She said a multi-purpose area including a second screen would also be created on the theatre's lower level that could be used for dance, theatrical rehearsals and music.

"The cinema has been a nice little earner and when we have the second screen it will be even better. We are making money and meeting public demand."

Work is likely to start next month, but the theatre will remain open during the alterations.

Coun Pitts said the scheme was a capital project funded separately from the subsidy and would have no impact on council tax. She rejected claims by Labour councillors that the work would cost up to £250,000 and should be included with the subsidy to show the true cost of the venue.

Published: 12/08/2004