A drama centre’s future has been secured for the next three years after receiving almost £400,000 from the Arts Council.

Redbridge Drama Centre, in Churchfields, South Woodford, submitted a bid for cash in March and it has now received £387,000 in grants.

Arts Council England has granted a £192,000 grant for the development of the Drama Centre including an improved entrance to the multi-theatre complex, additional seating in the theatres, LED lighting, new signage, information screens and a new online box office system.

The Drama Centre will also receive an additional grant of £195,000, also from the Arts Council, to fund the expansion of the theatre programme, the introduction of an apprentice dance scheme and the creation of a Redbridge Artists Training Company to support arts for black and ethnic minority communities in the borough.

For more on this story see next week's Wanstead and Woodford Guardian - out on Thursday.