It is hoped that the deal will secure the future of the venue, which has been closed since August 2007, although will reopen in the autumn following an extensive £8m refurbishment programme.

The revamp of the Playhouse theatre has included the construction of a new glass entrance, improved front of house facilities incorporating box office, sales and two bar areas, a new raked auditorium with improved seating and improved backstage facilities.

Improved disabled access to the auditorium and fully accessible changing facilities for disabled performers are also being created as part of the refurbishment, which forms part of the wider £64m regeneration of Whitley Bay.

Although construction work is scheduled to be completed in May, SMG Europe – operator of the 11,000-seat Metro Radio Arena and the Journal Tyne Theatre in Newcastle – will be given a period of familiarisation before the Playhouse reopens in the autumn.

Elected mayor John Harrison said: "We have secured the future of the Playhouse theatre through the major refurbishment work currently underway. Selecting SMG Europe as the operator will ensure it becomes a vibrant hub for cultural activities that can add to the range of high quality cultural and leisure activites at the coast."

In addition to the Playhouse revamp, other projects in Whitley Bay include the first phase of external work at the town's Dome and the refurbishment of the Whitley Bay Leisure Pool – now renamed Waves, which is due to reopen on 30 March.