Arts venue could close within six months

New Brewery Arts has been in Cirencester since 1978

A popular arts venue has urged the community to "use us or lose us".

New Brewery Arts, in Cirencester, has been in the town for nearly 50 years, but has warned it could close within six months if new funding cannot be found.

The charity blamed the ongoing cost-of-living pressures and long-term decline in arts funding. CEO, Beth Alden, said: "When we looked at our finances this summer it was pretty stark and we're at risk."

The government said it is committed to supporting the sector, "ensuring arts and culture are able to thrive across the country".

It added that recent announcements - including on the Arts Everywhere Fund which is designed to help hundreds of arts venues - demonstrates its commitment to making sure arts and culture are neither the preserve of a privileged few nor confined to major cities.

Beth Alden urged people to book a workshop and help "save us"

New Brewery Arts, which is based in the historic buildings of the former Cirencester Brewery, first opened in 1978.

It offers a programme of workshops and courses, with artist studios, a shop and café.

Ms Alden said times are "super hard" for a charity and they are being "massively squeezed".

"The costs have gone through the roof and funding for arts charities has gone through the floor," she said.

"So we're in a very difficult squish in the middle and to get through that we're calling on our community to use us or lose us."

She added: "Last month we were rejected from one funder, they had 1,600 applications for 17 grants they were giving out.

"That shows the scale of need there is to support these kinds of cultural, creative and wellbeing organisations that are across the UK."

The venue offers arts and crafts workshops and classes

Ms Alden is urging the community to get behind the venue.

"Our footfall is great, last year 110,000 people came to use us," she said.

"But perhaps there are people that have not been here for a while, or have forgotten about us.

"If 30 people or more book a workshop each month - one person a day - we would move into the black.

"We're saying don't put it off, if there's a course or a class you have been wanting to do, book it now. That would really help and really save us".

'No illusions'

A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: "We're under no illusions about the financial issues facing the culture sector.

"This year, £85m has been announced through the Creative Foundation Fund specifically to support the revitalisation, restoration, and renewal of cultural venues.

"That's just one part of our £270m Arts Everywhere Fund providing support for our arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector."