The artistic director of the Warehouse Theatre has this week thanked the venue's army of fans and supporters for their unwavering support since the announcement of its building's closure.

Despite the current uncertainty surrounding the future of the Dingwall Road theatre company, the venue's artistic director Ted Craig has said he is encouraged by the level of support he has received from members and local organisations.

The theatre is due to close next month due to a lack of funding for necessary maintenance work, which would keep the building from becoming a health and safety hazard.

The business itself will keep going with plans to take productions to other venues, but presently the theatre company has no fixed home to go to.

Despite the impending closure, Mr Craig is still hopeful that an eleventh hour resolve can be found for the theatre company.

He said: "We've had so much support from our audiences and local organisations, we really have been overwhelmed.

"People have been so reassuring and sympathetic about the whole situation and we remain positive that a solution can be found for the Warehouse Theatre Company.

"Nothing would please us more than if a way could be found to keep us here for a while."

Proposals to relocate the theatre company to the nearby Pumping Station, off Surrey Street, or Fairfield are also being considered but this would take between one and three years.

But Mr Craig added that a lack of premises to use during that interim period was a concern to the company.

A spokesman from Croydon Council said: "We are unequivocally committed to supporting the Warehouse Theatre. We recognise the contribution it has made to the cultural identity to Croydon, London and the south east for many years.

"We are working together with the board to bring a solution that will ensure its unique and exciting work will continue for many years to come."

January 29, 2003 12:00