PLANS are being drawn up for a £150,000 extension to Peeblesshire's only-purpose built arts venue.

A surge in popularity in recent years has led to bosses at the Eastgate Theatre exploring options to increase capacity.

Following initial talks with funding bodies the board of directors are now inviting architects to devise a scheme to extend the building and enlarge the theatrical auditorium.

Eastgate general manager Caroline Adam told the Peeblesshire News: "The theatre has been doing really good business in recent years and we are regularly at capacity.

"The proposals are at a very early stage but we are looking ahead to what is required of the Eastgate in the next five to ten years both as an arts venue and the community aspect.

"We believe there is a need for a larger theatre.

"We have held discussions with the Big Lottery regarding funding and, while it is extremely competitive, we do have plans that would fit into their funding streams."

The Eastgate Theatre opened in March, 2004, following more than a decade of fundraising, campaigning and renovation work at the former 19th century church.

Edinburgh-based architect Richard Murphy won several awards for his sensitive conversion of the religious building into an arts venue.

Despite occasional funding problems over the past 13 years, the Eastgate has become an arts hub for the western Borders and regularly attracts big names to the area.

And a strong board of directors in recent years has created financial security.

The main auditorium currently can hold just over 200 people.

If the extension and reconfiguration proposals are realised the capacity in the theatre would increase as well as additional space being created in other areas of the venue.

Architects are invited to register their interest by mid-June with schemes to be finalised next year ahead of work starting and concluding in 2019.

Although no initial plans have yet been drawn up it is expected the building will be extended into the courtyard space to the east.

Caroline added: "We will be saying to the architects that we are keen not to disrupt the theatre operations too much during any work.

"There is the option of using alternative venues for some events but we hope there won't be too much disruption."