The future of the King's Head, a theatre pub in Islington, London, has been safeguarded after the widow of the venue's founder bought the freehold of the property from Punch Taverns.

Stephanie Sinclaire, who has been responsible for the theatre's operation following the death of husband and King's Head founder Dan Crawford in 2005, completed a £1.4m deal with the pub group. Comprising a 1,500sq ft (139sq m) pub and a 1,500sq ft (139sq m) theatre, the King's Head is set to undergo a series of improvements, including work to increase the seating capacity from 120 to 199.

The creation of a new rehearsal studio and a workshop area are also part of plans to upgrade the venue, which was founded in 1970 and is housed within an 1860s Victorian building on Upper Street. Sinclaire said: "Founded in 1970, The King's Head Theatre is held with great affection by the theatrical community and loved by the public and we are delighted to have been able to ensure the show will go on ad infinitum.

"We will now begin a fundraising campaign to enable the building to achieve its full potential." William Dunmore of law firm Maxwell Winward acted on behalf of Sinclaire, while Chris Field of Christie Finance - sister company of property company Christie + Co - helped to secure 90 per cent of funding for the deal.