Control of Sutton’s theatres has officially been handed over by Sutton Council to a non-profit organisation, ending months of uncertainty surrounding their potential closure.

Sutton Council announced in September 2014 it would close the Secombe and Charles Cryer theatres should nobody step up to take over their running, as the council looked to shave millions from its budget.

Saviours were found on January 15 this year in the form of Beri Juraic and Micha Columbo, whose company Sutton Theatres Trust was granted a 10-year deal to run the two venues.

This week the trust was handed formal control by Sutton Council.

A spokesman for Sutton Theatres Trust, said: “There has been a lot of hard work since January to reach this point and we are grateful to the council for their collaboration and the support they have given us along the way.”

The move has cleared £482,000 from the council’s annual expenditure.

The authority calculated that the Charles Cryer Studio in Carshalton was being subsidised to the tune of £11.21 per visitor and the Secombe Theatre in Sutton, £6.81.

Based on the 2014-15 budget it cost the council £157,000 to run Charles Cryer Studio and £325,000 to run Secombe Theatre.

Councillor Jill Whitehead, chairman of the environment and neighbourhoods committee, said: “We are seeing the end of a thorough and worthwhile process which has resulted in keeping two community assets open.

“We are in tough economic times with Government cuts meaning we cannot afford services we used to provide.

She added: “Now we can looking forward to an exciting programme of activity to be unveiled by Sutton Theatres Trust this summer and their contribution to cultural life in Sutton.”

The upcoming programme for the theatres will be announced shortly.