Lewes District Council and Newhaven Town Council have agreed to support leisure trust Wave Leisure's bid to make Shakespeare Hall in Newhaven a "viable business".

Wave Leisure has secured a deal to provide sports and activities at the outdated venue, which is badly in need of a revamp.

The trust, which operates leisure centres across Lewes district, intervened when the hall's trustees could not attract enough customers to stay afloat.

As part of the agreement, the three partners will invest a total of £150,000 towards immediate maintenance costs of the hall and a further £30,000 has been set aside to cover revenue deficit costs.

Wave Leisure's managing director, Peter Crowley, said: "Over the last two months we've been working with the existing Trustees of Shakespeare Hall, Newhaven Town Council, the user groups and Lewes District Council to ensure that this facility stays open for the wider community.

Wave Leisure will manage the facility in conjunction with Seahaven Swim and Fitness Centre from the 1st November 2010.