The Gateway in Seaton has asked the town council for financial support to help meet losses incurred during the cover-19 crisis 2hilst the theatre has been closed.

At their July meeting, conducted by video conferencing, councillors received a verbal update from Elga Mackie from The Gateway Theatre Company.

She explained that the venue was currently closed due to covid-19 and was likely to remain so until early next year.

The deputy chairman, Cllr Jack Rowland, said that, whilst no promises could be made, there was a discretionary grants system, funded by central government, and awarded by East Devon District Council which would be worth the Gateway looking into.

Whilst it could not make grants for loss of income, it could consider the fixed costs of running a building.

Members agreed that this item should be referred to the next Finance and General Purposes Committee and that, in the meantime, Cllr Martin Hartnell and Cllr Rowland would meet with Trustees of the Gateway to gain information on their position and report back to the committee.

• The Gateway, a registered charity, was the former Town Hall where Seaton Town Council offices were situated until 2016. It is now considered to be the entertainment centre of the town, as a music venue, and screening films and live shows from the National Theatre.

(The above information was sourced from the official minutes of the council which have yet to be approved)