A NEW £384,520 grant to improve facilities at Millfield Arts Centre has been approved by councillors.

The cash will pay for a series of 35 improvements including new auditorium seating, painting the auditorium, landscaping, courtyard paving, theatre performance floor and tabs, film equipment, microphones and a plasma TV system for audience information and advertising.

The money is in addition to the cash given to the centre in September 2008 to develop the bar and cafe and extend the toilet facilities.

It was because of this work that officers identified further areas which needed funding.

The closure of the theatre between now and September to allow for this work to be done gives contractors an ideal opportunity to make the rest of the improvements.

Members of the cabinet voted through the the plans at their cabinet meeting at the Civic Centre, Silver Street, Enfield Town, on May 21.