AN ambitious vision to deliver a new theatre in Warrington is edging closer to reality.

A business case – which will include the possibility of converting the former drill hall into a performance venue – will come before the executive board once it is finalised.

The site, on Bath Street, is part of the Town Hall footprint.

The theatre proposal forms part of the council’s plans to boost the borough’s arts scene.

During Thursday’s health and wellbeing board meeting, Cllr Dan Price, executive board member for culture and partnerships, delivered a presentation on the town’s cultural growth.

He confirmed that plans to deliver a sustainable theatre are at ‘a very detailed point’.

“We all know public funding isn’t there to make things happen,” he said.

“We are finding ways about how to go, from a grassroots point of view, to make a theatre sustainable from day one.

“That is becoming a project which is becoming much clearer and much closer to being finalised.”

Cllr Price also told board members that the failed City of Culture bid was the catalyst for the borough’s renewed ambitions before highlighting the need to create a new identity and ‘sense of place’.

He said: “We all know that Warrington is a very fast-growing town and with that there are lots of confusing messages around the identity of the place.

“It doesn’t necessarily have such a clear narrative when compared to our neighbours, like Liverpool and Manchester.”

And Cllr Price was keen to highlight that culture and arts can help with a range of issues including mental wellbeing, social connectivity and lifelong services.

He added: “I know we are already doing some work – I suppose this is an appeal really for us to give this a serious think.

“How can we start prioritising this as a key way to prevent people needing services and, if we can, where can we prescribe arts and culture?”