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Dateline: 23rd April, 2009
Derby Lease Sold The University of Derby has officially taken over Derby Playhouse after signing a contract for a 99-year lease. It was announced in February that the theatre, which was dark for most of last year, would become home to the university's theatre arts programme and would also host amateur and professional productions. Now the university has taken delivery of the keys and is preparing the theatre for public use as early as October. University vice-chancellor Professor John Coyne said, "This building is an important cultural asset in the city and while it has been closed there has been a definite void in Derby's cultural scene. "When it became clear that there was a real risk that the theatre might be lost, we had to act decisively to secure its future. "The university is part of the community and has a strong academic background in culture and the arts. We'll now be looking to work with partners to ensure that we have a sustainable theatre." The Playhouse will become home to the university's theatre arts programme and will support sound and light technology, events management, fashion and other relevant courses. It will become a "learning theatre", with live performances enhancing students' degree course work and giving them hands-on experience. Derby Playhouse went into administration after the city council withdrew its grant. That led to Arts Council England transferring its annual grant to Derby LIVE, the city council's arts programme. Derby Playhouse Limited's board said previously that the lease had been valued at between £800,000 and £1m. The university has refused to say how much it has paid for the lease, merely commenting that it was a "significant sum". At least £500,000 from the sale will go to pay off the theatre's creditors. Steve Orme
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