THE revamp plans that saved South Street Arts Centre from potential closure are set to go before the council's planning committee.

Supporters of the venue feared its days were numbered last year when councillors said they would be reassessing the use of buildings amid budget cuts.

However in the wake of an 8,000 strong petition and a £500,000 cash grant from the Arts Council the site is now preparing for renovation works to help improve income.

Retractable seating and an expanded bar area are among the measures which will allow multiple events to be held at the same time.

The additions, which were match funded by more than £300,000 by Reading Borough Council, are hoped to boost revenue and plug the centre's annual shortfall of around £30,000.

Arts co-ordinator at South Street John Luther said: "It's fantastic, it's a vision I have been pursuing for a couple of years and to get the confidence of an organisation like the Arts Council - who see the national picture and think that Reading and South Street are worth investing in - is a real boost in confidence for us."

The centre has two main performing spaces in its Main Theatre and the MacDevitts Studio but due to space the latter is often used as a bar area during larger shows.

By installing retractable seating and creating a separate area for serving drinks staff will be able swap arrangements faster and host more than one show at once.

Mr Luther added: "We can already do a lot of different live events but it does cost us quite a lot of money to change those layouts.

"With this new retractable seating it's more comfortable and saves us in staff costs."

The designs going before council's planning applications committee on Wednesday also include new backstage facilities for artists, improved insulation to bring down bills and better disabled access.

To allow for the work South Street will be closed for around four months over the summer, with the last performance booked in for May 29.

An special opening party is planned for November 3 and in the meantime the team will be kept busy hosting shows and exhibits throughout the town in their Site Lines programme.

The plans have been recommended for approval and will be decided on Wednesday night.