THE chief executive of Anvil Arts said he is looking forward to welcoming back audiences to the venue later this year.

Earlier in the week the government announced a roadmap to easing lockdown restrictions, which could see theatres able to reopen from May 17.

Speaking about the four steps which have been planned to take England out of lockdown, prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed that theatres will be able to open as part of step three which includes in-person performances and sports returning with limits.

These limits will include wider social contact restrictions which will limit people to meeting in a group of six people or two households indoors.

Pilots of larger events may involve using enhanced testing.

Matthew Cleaver, chief executive of Anvil Arts, which runs The Anvil and The Haymarket theatre in Basingstoke, told the Gazette: “We are delighted to see potential dates for reopening venues in the government's roadmap announcement.

"We are keen to welcome audiences back to The Anvil, The Haymarket and The Forge as soon as we can, and to restart our work with schools and in the community.

“We will be working through the practical implications of this as more specific guidance for venues is released in the coming weeks.

“Performances before 21 June will still depend on whether tours are financially viable for promoters and can physically take place with social distancing.

“We will continue to contact ticket holders about the status of performances. In the meantime, The Anvil is continuing as a Covid test centre to contribute to bringing the pandemic under control.”