Arts venue in 'difficulties' to cut opening hours

Quad opened in 2008

A Derby arts venue has announced it is cutting its opening times to "safeguard" its "long-term future".

Quad, which has a cinema and exhibition space in Market Place, is currently open seven days a week, but this will be reduced to Thursday and Friday evenings, and throughout the weekend.

Earlier this year the venue admitted it was in serious financial difficulties and has now said operating costs needed to be reduced "as a matter of urgency", which included staffing level changes.

Eleanor Thornley, CEO of Quad, said: "Due to rising costs and changing audience habits, we are having to make big changes."

There are no plans for it to permanently close, venue bosses said.

Quad, which is a registered charity, will shut on 13 October and re-open on 17 October with new operating hours".

Ms Thornley, who joined the organisation in July after the announcement about financial difficulties, said: "These new opening hours have been curated carefully to allow for minimal disruption for our customers during the Assembly Rooms demolition."

Ms Thornley added there were various events planned for the first month of changes and people will still be able to watch films, visit exhibitions, and have drinks in the bar, but meals will no longer be served.

'Knife edge'

When asked about job losses, Ms Thornley told BBC Radio Derby: “We are in an open consultation with our staff so I can’t really discuss that.

“I have been absolutely amazed by the generosity, by the commitment, by the ongoing love for Quad that staff have.

“They have been incredible and I want to thank them.”

She added: "I feel really passionately about access to the arts, about film, about places like Quad, which are really important physical places for people to go in cities such as Derby.

"I feel we have a responsibility to try and safeguard this as much as we can.

"We really want to remain - we really want people to feel there is a cultural life to be had in this city.

"That's why we are dong this... it is also an opportunity for us to make sure we can try and stay. That's why we're asking for help.

"We are still open - please come and see a film, come enjoy our exhibition, have a drink. If you are able to donate, it would be much appreciated.

"We are on a knife edge and it is the time to support Quad."

The open times are yet to be confirmed, but it is anticipated it will open from 17:00 BST on Thursdays and Fridays and from 12:00 at the weekends.