A £6m lottery bid was submitted by Halton Council this week to create a new arts centre.

Planning chiefs have been working closely with professional Arts Board architects to design a state-of-the-art community development for the borough.

It includes a 500-seat auditorium, studio, exhibition gallery, cafe and general purpose rooms.

The proposed development would be built beside St Paul's health centre in High Street, Runcorn, and replace the existing Queens Hall in Widnes.

It will form a focal point for the regeneration of the Old Town centre.

It is hoped the arts centre will accommodate small and medium touring theatre companies as well as large scale productions.

Pantomime, chamber music, recitals, choirs, musicals, opera, film, dance and conferences are just some of the other productions which could be staged in the main auditorium.

The second studio space, with retractable seating, would be suitable for activities such as workshops, leisure classes, tea dances, craft fairs, small rock band rehearsals, discos and film shows.

Local work in art, craft, photography and other forms could be displayed in the exhibition area.

The building will have three multi-use rooms and an art studio for classes and workshops.

There will be plenty of opportunity for a range of educational work to be carried out in the arts centre.

The detailed £6,768,000 bid, including 40 documents and reports, was submitted to lottery board in London.

A decision is expected in about six months.

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