A NEW theatre is set to give Finsbury Park a cultural boost after being given the go-ahead by Islington Council.

The Park Theatre, in Clifton Terrace, will open in 2012 after its planning application was approved last week.

Artistic director Jez Bond, who is leading the project, said: “There are no theatres at all in the area at the moment but lots of theatre groups and actors who live and meet in the area with no professional space to use.”

Mr Bond acquired the disused office building in December 2009 after a four-year search for a venue.

Speaking after last week’s news that Arts Council funding will be cut by 30 per cent by 2015, he added: “Theatre is not built out of necessity or through finance or legislation – it is borne and run through passion. Nothing is going to quash our vision.”

MP for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn said: “I have every confidence this venture could make a significant contribution to the vitality of Finsbury Park.”