The shock decision has been made behind closed doors by two council committees and is likely to be passed by the full council on October 23.

Arts and theatre groups had believed the council-owned venue would stay open until at least December next year but a recommendation has been made to close it early to create parking for the new swimming pool being built next door and to give construction workers better access to the site.

It will leave the town without a major arts venue for at least a year-and-a-half until the Cube opens in mid-2010. Two people are expected to lose their jobs.

The pantomime will be the last official show at the theatre. Chief executive Roger Allanson, part of an army of volunteers who help run the centre, led the fight to save the Willows eight years ago when it was threatened with closure.

He said: "We weren't expecting it to close and we thought we had at least another 12 to 15 months. But I do want to see the regeneration run as smoothly as possible."

Council bosses have promised performers booked into next year's programme that they will help to find them alternative venues at the Arc theatre in Rockingham Road, Pen Green, Brooke Weston or the new Business Academy.

Shout youth theatre organiser Paula Boulton sat on the Willows Users Group that was formed to provide a sounding board for the plans for the new theatre. She said: "We do not deserve to be without a theatre for 18 months. It feels like this decision is not being made by the people of Corby or for the people of Corby."

Council leaders say they had a choice between closing the old swimming pool or the theatre and chose the theatre as it is under-utilised.
In a statement they said: "The earlier closure of the Willows is under active consideration by the council. This is to allow easier access to the exciting new facilities when they are opened and provide additional temporary customer car parking.

"Any proposals will include a series of additional measures to support relocating groups and activities to use other top class facilities in Corby."

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