Bookings at two of the county's iconic theatres will be put on hold next year as their futures are considered following the "profound" impact of Covid.

Showings at the Theatre Royal in Margate - the second-oldest working theatre in the UK - and the town's Winter Gardens will be honoured until April 28 and August 14, 2022, respectively.

A spokesman for Thanet District Council, which owns their freehold, says the pause in operations will allow a new long-term direction to be identified, supported by a proposed £2.5 million funding boost from the Margate Town Deal.

"The impact of Covid-19 has been profound, not just on the Margate venues but on the leisure industry as a whole, as a result of enforced closures and subsequent restrictions," she said.

"Of 944 theatre venues, producers and businesses, 95% are reported to be worse off financially due to the pandemic.

"Although entertainment venues were able to reopen to the public from June 21, income has been substantially impacted and both the Theatre Royal and Winter Gardens buildings are in need of significant refurbishment works.

"Like many attractions across the country, they now need to secure a more sustainable future."

The Margate Town Deal has a confirmed allocation of £2 million towards the renovation of the Theatre Royal and the business case for this project will start next month.

The council will be looking for an operator and project partner, as well as making a funding submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

"The intention is that from April 28, 2022, the annual, rolling lease with Your Leisure will cease in order to accelerate these plans," the spokesman said.

"Bookings at the venue will pause from this date."

Meanwhile, for Margate Winter Gardens £500,000 has been requested in the Margate Town Deal's final submission of projects to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to create a fully developed plan.

The Town Deal Board is waiting for confirmation of whether it will be allocated the funding.

"The intention is that from August 14, 2022, although the lease with Your Leisure is in place until 2024, the entertainment programme at the Winter Gardens will be paused," the council spokesman said.

Thanet council says Your Leisure, operator of both venues, will honour all tickets and events up to the April and August 2022 dates.

The Winter Gardens is operated on a 25-year lease and the Theatre Royal on an annual basis.

Last year a campaign was launched to help secure the future of the venues.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet