A WIRRAL theatre has appeared for sale on property website Rightmove – but the council says that the listing is an error by the property agent.

The Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton has appeared on the site, with the cost of the historic venue listed as “price on asking” by Manchester-based consultants Lambert Smith Hampton.

It comes months after it was revealed the council is seeking a new commercial operator to take over the theatre, in a bid to bring “even more popular acts” to the Wirral town. That would mean the venue is available for lease, not for sale.

On Wednesday, a Wirral Council spokesman said the listing would be removed from the Rightmove website and that it’s an error on behalf of the property agent. He confirmed that the theatre should never have been listed for sale, but that the authority is still in the process of trying to find another operator to run it.

The Rightmove listing said: "The Floral Pavilion has operated from the site for over 100 years.

"The theatre closed in 2007, was demolished and rebuilt to a new design, reopening in December 2008.

"As well as an enlarged and enhance theatre auditorium, the complex also includes a multi-purpose conference centre, meetings and event space and a large multi-purpose lounge area.

"We understand that the buildings extend to approximately 6336 sq m in total."

In November, the council said with a new operator, it hoped the 800-seater theatre would host more popular musicals, plays and other performances – that could even pave the way for West End productions.

At present, it does not produce its own plays, which means it's limited in performances it can attract, the ticket sales it retains, and income generated.

It was hoped with the specialist provider the council is seeking, like a theatre chain or production company, it would be able to "apply economies of scale and ensure the Floral Pavilion can bring the bigger shows it needs to become more successful".

At the time, Cllr Phillip Brightmore, cabinet member for leisure and recreation, said: "The Floral Pavilion is a fabulous facility, which brings enjoyment and no small measure of pride to thousands of residents throughout the borough.

"The theatre is approaching its 10th anniversary and has gone from strength to strength since being unveiled as the centrepiece of the council-led regeneration of New Brighton."