A THEATRE looks set to remain closed over the summer while it undergoes a major revamp.
The Bonington Theatre in Arnold has shut for improvements to the bar, dressing rooms, and the theatre itself.
The work was due to be finished last month, but problems with wiring at the venue, in High Street, were uncovered.
Gedling Borough Council is now looking for construction firms to manage and complete the repairs, which it says could go on until September.
The Bonington Players theatre group had to find a new venue for its latest production, Hi De Hi, last month.
It is one of ten shows that have been relocated since the works started.
Howard Whitehurst, chairman of Bonington Players, said: "The postponement of the opening has created great difficulty for all the theatre groups that use it. We found an alternative venue but I know another group was unable to find a suitable replacement for its play so cancelled and lost revenue.
"The danger is that other users who have found alternative venues might not want to come back when the works are finished."
The theatre is used by a number of groups including a youth theatre, and for magic shows.
Mr Whitehurst said the groups were happy the council is spending money refurbishing the theatre. But he called for better communication on how the work is progressing.
He said: "We were told unofficially that the works would be completed by the end of August and ready in time for the new theatre season at the beginning of September.
"I'm now being asked by users what is going on. We are all completely in the dark."
The works are part of a £1.1m project which also includes the refurbishment of Arnold Leisure Centre, which the theatre is part of.
In a public notice printed in the Post earlier this week, the council said that tender documents will be issued on May 28 and for return by June 14.
Works will then have to start no later than July 29 and be completed by September 13.
Councillor Darrell Pulk, portfolio holder for leisure and development at Gedling Borough Council, said the authority is liaising closely with all groups that use the theatre, and are working with them to find alternative venues.
He said: "We received the final report on the auditorium's electrical system in early April. The report identified not only the need to carry out a rewire of the main electrics to the theatre lighting and sound systems, but also that much of the lighting and sound equipment also failed electrical testing.
"We appreciate that these unanticipated works mean a longer closure period. However, we are committed to ensuring that when the works are done, the theatre will have a brand new state-of-the-art system that will be better than that which was originally planned."