A final decision on the bids made to take over a Victorian theatre in Sutton will be made in October, Sutton Council has confirmed.

The Charles Cryer Theatre, in Carshalton High Street, has been open to letting following the collapse of the Sutton Theatres Trust into administration during August 2016.

With the May 11 deadline having passed, the bids are ‘being evaluated’ by council officers and a recommendation will be made before an official decision in October.

Councillor Steve Penneck said: “We are very pleased with the level of interest shown in the Charles Cryer Theatre.

“Bidders will need to demonstrate that their plans are viable in the long-term and of benefit to the wider community.”

A statement on confirmed bidders is expected to be announced on July 23 following a completed initial evaluation.

Thereafter, a shortlist will be decided by the end of August, and those included will be required to make presentations to the panel the following month.

Then a recommendation will be made to the council’s strategy and resources committee before an official decision is made on October 29.

The Charles Cryer Theatre was first build as a public hall in 1874 before being used as a roller skating rink and cinema for nearly 40 years, according to the Sutton Theatres Trust’s website.

It was then rebuilt and reopened as a studio theatre by Prince Edward 1991 and has undergone several refurbishment projects since then.

However, after Sutton Theatres Trust took over its management on a 10-year lease in January 2015, it subsequently fell into administration just over a year and a half later.