A PLEA has been made to help the 'world's smallest theatre' re-open. 

The Theatre of Small Convenience on Edith Walk is now under the ownership of a new community interest company which is bidding to bring it back to life.

But the theatre has been closed for seven years and a fire in 2021 means it is likely to need a £25,000 makeover to get it into a position to re-open.  

The unique 12-seater building was originally a Victorian toilet but in 2002 entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest commercial theatre.

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The theatre has been closed since 2017 after the founder Dennis Neale retired due to ill health and it was then leased to Warwickshire College Group until 2022.

Last month, Malvern Hills District Council's executive committee handed the keys over to the Theatre of Small Convenience CIC, which is made up of Loz Samuels, Dibah Farooqui and Dr Jan Birtle.

Ms Samuels, who is the artistic lead for the CIC, told the Gazette: "I joined around two years ago after I moved back to Malvern.

"I used to go to shows at the theatre, it was a lovely place to visit, really magical.

"There is a lot of cosmetic work that needs to be done because of the fire, but there will also be structural work carried out as well as fixing problems with the drainage and there will need to be re-wiring and a new roof. 

"We have had a survey carried out and the ballpark figure for this work is £25,000, we will do as much as we can but there are some things we need professionals for."

A crowdfunder has been set up and so far, over £3,500 has been donated on the group's SpaceHive page. 

If the fund-raising is successful, it is hoped the theatre will re-open next summer. 

Ms Samuels added: "It would be amazing when we open, my dream would be if we could get the former owner, Dennis Neale to re-open it for us. 

"I'd be really proud if we do it, we're very close now and it's such a special place. 

"Malvern needs something like this, it is quirky and fits the character of Malvern so well."

Visit www.spacehive.com/tosc? to donate.