The future of a popular Suffolk theatre is under review – but closure is not on the agenda.

Suffolk Coastal District Council has brought in management consultants Bonnar Keenlyside to carry out an appraisal on The Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe.

The theatre has seen attendances fall in the last three years but the purpose of the appraisal is to see how it can be used more widely in the community.

A council spokesman said: “It’s not a concern for us – we are doing it because we want to see that there’s a potential to offer more to the arts in Felixstowe.”

The firm has been given the task of finding out whether the 900-seater venue meets the needs of local groups, how it fits in the town and whether it is financially viable.

It will begin carrying out the work next month and is due to announce its findings and suggestions in October.

The council will decide on whether it will implement the suggestions from the group but it must fit with the Felixstowe Futures Agenda, which aims to make the town attractive to all ages and also attractive for tourists coming to the area.

Mary Neale, the council’s cabinet member for leisure and countryside, is looking forward to the group’s suggestions.

She said: “The Spa Pavilion is a much-loved facility in the local community but in recent years has not been as well used.

“I am sure that Bonnar Keenlyside will come up with some very interesting ideas that will give a boost to the resort of Felixstowe and do the Spa Pavilion justice.”