Maidstone Borough Council has announced Parkwood Leisure its preferred bidder to run the town's Hazlitt Art Centre, which is expected to save the council £3.2m over the 15-year contract.

As the preferred bidder Parkwood Leisure could take over the 350-seat theatre complex by the end of the year.

Proposals for their operation of the centre include: a focus on increasing events and functions at the venue, a theatre loyalty card scheme, continued concessionary income for lower income groups and use of Parkwood Leisure head office support services.