By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter
A Southampton theatre, whose operator went into administration, is to be given a new lease of life.
The Mayflower will take over NST City, now set to be called MAST – short for Mayflower Studios.
The decision was taken during Southampton City Council meeting on Wednesday (Sept 16).
Councillors backed plans for a new 35-year-lease with the Mayflower and a grant of £511,250 over two financial years (£221,250 for 2020/21 and £290,000 for 2021/22) to Mayflower Academy Limited.
The company will be supported by and part of “an experienced leadership team” within the wider Mayflower Theatre Trust.
As reported, Nuffield Southampton Theatres (NST) – which ran the NST City in the cultural quarter and the Nuffield Theatre at the University of Southampton – went into administration in May.
Presenting the new proposals to councillors Cllr Satvir Kaur, cabinet member for homes and culture at the city council, said: “I am delighted to present something today that not only reflects the commitment of everyone that has worked hard to get to this stage but also something that adds value to our cultural aspiration within the city.”
She described the application put forward by the Mayflower Theatre Trust as “really strong”.
She added: “I hope that this time we can pull together as a city so that we can help Southampton and Southampton people to reach their full potential. I hope today we can all come together and wish MAST every success.”
The move was backed by the leader of the opposition, Cllr Dan Fitzhenry.
He said: “We want to be able to have the confidence in people who are our partners to provide the shows and fun that we want to see in the city and we have that in the Mayflower. It is a real pleasure to be supporting the proposals.”
NST City was billed as the “jewel in the crown” of Southampton’s multi-million pound Cultural Quarter.
A petition, which has now been supported by over 13,000 signatures, was presented to the council in July this year as thousands of people asked the council to save the venue.
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