MAJOR repair work to the Regent Centre in Christchurch will cost around £500,000.

The essential work to repair the defects to the south wall of the popular Christchurch arts centre is likely to take up to four months and could take place in summer 2019.

And the chairman of the Regent has called on the council to schedule the works carefully, or risk 'crippling' the theatre.

A report to Christchurch Borough Council's resources committee next week, details the work and asks for members approval for up to £550,000 from the council's unallocated reserves.

Severe corrosion to the steel frame of the auditorium was discovered in July during repairs to the external render.

Although most serious on south wall, corrosion was also found on the north wall as well.

The circle seating was closed until a temporary prop could be installed in September.

The report says scaffolding could be erected around the building by Christmas, with work to install restraints carried out in January.

The main repair works will involve reinforcing the corroded columns with steel plates and replacing the corroded horizontal beams.

The report says: "Deferring the main repair works until 2019 will increase costs due to inflation in building costs and a longer hire period for the scaffold.

"Although difficult to predict, the increase could be in the region of £50,000."

Works on the north wall could take place at the same time as the main repairs, however, an investigation is still ongoing into this.

Chris Root, chairman of the Regent Centre, wrote to the council in November. He said: "Over the last few years we have built the Regent Centre up to be an incredibly successful venue and our reputation in bringing the latest films and acts to the theatre has made us a leading venue in our field."

Speaking about the possibility of the work taking place next year, he added: "As I have said, this level of uncertainty would cripple the Regent Centre financially as well as ruin the relationships we have built up with the promoters and agents, and lead to job insecurity for a number of skilled staff which would be difficult, if not impossible to replace in time for the reopening of the theatre after the work."

A decision will be made at the resources committee at 6pm on Wednesday.