Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) has announced that it is to contribute £75,000 towards a £400,000 scheme to establish a new theatre on the town waterfront, which is scheduled to open next year.

The grant will go towards fitting out the new 220-seat Witchbottle Theatre, which will provide a new base for the Red Rose Chain, and will be used for theatre and cinema performances, as well as including a café, offices and a film editing suite. Judy Terry, IBC portfolio holder for arts, culture and leisure, said: "With this grant, we are helping the company build on its reputation for providing exciting theatre and film projects with a broad appeal."

Red Rose Chain's creative director, Joanna Carrick, added: "Working in the community is at the centre of what we do such as our new project working with the Iceni Project with participants on drug rehabilitation programmes. The Witchbottle will allow us to build on this work and reach more people in the town."