Protest held over planned Riverside Theatre closure

Ulster University (UU) announced last week that the Riverside Theatre, located on its Coleraine campus, will close in August after nearly 50 years in operation

A protest against the planned closure of the Riverside Theatre has been held in Coleraine, County Londonderry.

Ulster University (UU) announced last week that the theatre building, located on its Coleraine campus, will close in August after nearly 50 years in operation.

The university previously stated the building has "come to the end of its life" and would require significant capital investment to remain in use.

More than 150 people attended the rally outside the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council offices on Tuesday evening, calling for the theatre to remain open.

The venue has a capacity of about 350 people

The venue, which is billed as Northern Ireland's oldest operating professional theatre outside of Belfast opened in the 1970s, has a capacity of about 350 people.

Concerns were first raised over the long-term future of the theatre back in January, after UU, which owns the venue, confirmed it was reviewing the way it was used.

In March, the university proposed Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council consider entering into a lease agreement for the theatre and pay almost £750,000 to carry out what are deemed essential repairs, as well as taking on yearly running costs in the region of £500,000.

UU said the university faced "unprecedented financial challenges" and said "it is more important than ever that we focus our resources on core academic activities".

Steven Millar organised Tuesday's protest

The university's latest financial statement showed they had a surplus of more than £80m.

Steven Millar, a local actor from the north coast, has been spearheading the campaign to save the Riverside Theatre.

He organised the protest outside the council offices to call on local representatives to help keep the venue open, saying it plays a vital role in the area.

"The turnout is here because we really care about this theatre," he said.

"It is a massive community cornerstone. Not only is it a professional theatre, but it also hosts drama groups, dance groups, elderly people, summer camps for young people, and it's such an important building.

"We want our councillors to go to the university and fight for another viable option, Mr Millar said.

"I don't believe this is the end," he added.

Zoe and Molly both attended the protest at the Riverside Theatre.

Molly and Zoe, both aged 17, said they attended the protest on Tuesday because the Riverside has been so important to them and their dance group.

"We grew up dancing here," Molly said.

"We've been coming since we were four years old, dancing for family and friends."

She added that the theatre is a hub for the local community and provides a valuable opportunity for creative expression.

Zoe said it would be awful to see a venue which "feels like their second home" close and for both themselves and future generations miss out on opportunities to perform in front of a large audience.

"We do hip-hop, lyrical, and jazz dance, and we work on these routines for an entire year before showcasing them at the Riverside," she said.

"It's where we can show off our skills and show how hard we've worked on our routines."

TUV councillor Alistair Kyle says there has been a lack of engagement from the university

Speaking to BBC News NI, TUV councillor Allister Kyle said it has been "disappointing" that there has been "little engagement with the university" up until this point.

"Basically, we have been set an ultimatum to take this on, or else it will close.

"So, I suppose it is more promising that later this month we will have a meeting with the university, and hopefully something positive can come out of that."

Councillors are due to meet with university representatives on 17 June.

Alliance councillor Lee Kane said it was not a feasible option for the council to take on the running costs and pay for the repairs of the theatre.

"The decision on whether or not to keep the theatre open lies solely with Ulster University," he said.

"We, as a council, want it to remain open, but this is not our [the council's] responsibility to take over."

Mr Kane said a number of options should be explored before the theatre closes and believes a viable solution can hopefully be found.

The council currently operates two smaller community arts venues: Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart and Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady.

Alliance councillor Lee Kane says a number of options should be explored and believes a viable solution can be found to keep the theatre open

A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said economically, the council is one of the poorest in Northern Ireland and that it is effectively managing a wide range of services within extremely limited resources.

"Taking on the Riverside Theatre and its extensive repair bill and associated operating costs would have direct impact on the council's ability to invest in other projects, such as play parks or health and wellbeing facilities.

"Council currently operates two vibrant arts and culture centres at a significant cost of almost £900k p.a. to the local ratepayer; one of these facilities is just two miles from the Riverside Theatre.[Flowerfield Arts Centre]."

A council spokesperson added that a community delegation will be offered the chance to present to the council at the end of June, but that it is not clear if any representations have been made to the university about it's civic responsibilities.