THE campaign to save the condemned Redgrave building and restore theatre at the heart of the East Street redevelopment is gathering new impetus, with a potential purchaser emerging from the wings for the derelict buildings. With redevelopment plans held in limbo while Waverley considers the developer's requests for changes to the contract, the newly formed Farnham Theatre Association is hoping to seize the initiative and secure a positive shift in the Redgrave's fortunes. Association chairman Anne Cooper said the campaigners had been bolstered by the news that, in principle, there was a willing purchaser (as yet unnamed) for Brightwell House and the Redgrave theatre buildings "on behalf of the public good". "Of course, this would be subject to Waverley Borough Council being prepared to make these available!" she pointed out. Waverley has steadfastly refused to countenance the theatre's revival on the grounds of the cost to the public purse. But the association is to commission "a substantial realistic" business plan, which it says will acknowledge the need for a theatre to be self-supporting, free from any subsidy from the borough council. "It is said that time and tide wait for no man. These words summarise the feeling of a meeting of influential and community leaders at a private lunch on Monday," reported Mrs Cooper. Two London experts in theatre - Michael Holden and the chairman of the Save London Theatres campaign, John Levitt - were invited to discuss with them the potential for Farnham's unique theatre. "The result of the lunch is that there is now an active force in bringing new proposals and new resources to the East Street development plans," said Mrs Cooper. "There was an animated discussion during which the desirability of retaining Farnham's purpose-built theatre was fully explored. The theatre should be at the heart of redesigned leisure facilities in the centre of the East Street scheme. "This would provide a focus for the community, socially, educationally and for a range of drama, music and other forms of entertainment. "It was recognised by the meeting that this need not, in any way, conflict with Farnham Maltings, which is unable itself to provide facilities for full-scale theatre of this kind." The upshot was that it was agreed to commission the business plan to show the practical programme, staffing and operating of just such a theatre. With Waverley currently considering re- phasing proposals from Crest Nicholson, it was felt the time was ripe for new ideas to come forward. Mrs Cooper said the Farnham Theatre Association has been constituted in such a way as to become a charitable trust, eventually to take on responsibility for the theatre. It will take a broad view of the provision for performance and other theatre facilities in Farnham and seek an integrated policy. "The enthusiasm and commitment expressed at the lunch by influential members of the community, was infectious. However, it was concluded that the essential component of the proposals is the support of the people of Farnham and its surrounding catchment area," she said. The association is appealing for funds towards the business plan/feasibility study and also for the community support which may persuade the council and the developers to make the theatre available. Anyone wishing to contribute funds to the business plan should contact the Treasurer, the Farnham Theatre Association, 40, Shortheath Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8SL. "This is a crucial time for the people of Waverley to make their voices heard in a tide of support for reconsideration of plans to demolish a unique theatre, built and paid for by the people of Farnham. "Waverley councillors need to know exactly what is at stake before taking any irreversible decision at their full council meeting on December 19 - or thereafter," Mrs Cooper stressed.