At last, some encouraging news from Chapel Street. Although years of doubt about the future of the Priestley Centre for the Arts culminated towards the end of last year in a recommendation that this historic theatre should go into liquidation, it now seems that it could survive after all.

The rescue plan backed by members of the new board, under the chairmanship of Tom Sandford, has been given a major boost by a £40,000 bank loan plus £18,000 in private donations which it is hoped will enable all existing short-term debts to be settled.

It is particularly encouraging that one of those donations, of £5,000, came from the company which owns Eastbrook Hall. It not only demonstrates that company's commitment to Bradford but also suggests an appreciation of the benefits that a revitalised Priestley Centre could bring to whatever development takes place on the Eastbrook site.

Mr Sandford's optimistic prediction that the theatre will be reopened within weeks will no doubt be very heartening to all those who feared that it was doomed to be in darkness forever. The money secured has bought a breathing space.

The urgent need now is to keep the momentum going by launching a development plan to secure the Priestley's long-term future. It must include a broadening of its appeal so that more members of the Bradford public take the place to their hearts and give the theatre the support that it so badly needs if it is to continue to play an important role in the cultural life of the city.