Next generation of actors will miss out as closure of Riverside Theatre leaves council area as only one without ‘dedicated' space, says MLA

Belfast Telegraph

5 days ago

Riverside will close its doors tomorrow despite a campaign to keep the valued community arts hub open.
Locals say the way it has been handled has left many 'feeling disrespected and shut out'.
The venue is billed as Northern Ireland's oldest operating professional theatre outside of Belfast and had been open for almost 50 years.
Northern Irish actors such as Naked Gun star Liam Neeson have trodden the boards of the Riverside, and it was where Cold Feet star James Nesbitt honed his craft.
The theatre, which opened in the 1970s, has a capacity of about 350 and is situated within Ulster University's (UU) Coleraine campus.
UU said the building would require significant capital investment to remain in use – with refurbishment works estimated to cost in the region of £745,000, on top of annual running costs of £495,000.
UU does, however, have to pay £6.3m annually to the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) after Stormont previously agreed to a loan of £174.3m for its vastly overbudget Belfast campus.
That will be paid off for the next 25 years, as the campus originally expected to cost £254m ended up costing around £364m.
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Local actor and lead campaigner to save the theatre, Steven Millar, said: 'The truth is, Riverside Theatre will close its doors this Friday with no formal consultation, no transition plan, and no agreed feasibility review, despite being one of Northern Ireland's most significant cultural venues.'
He said UU has pressed ahead with this decision despite ongoing public opposition garnering 4,500 signatures and many letters of support.
Mr Millar also explained that a fully costed rescue plan was submitted in June by community stakeholders.
No alternative venue is planned for dozens of community groups, schools and performers who relied on the theatre, he added.
To see it mothballed behind closed doors, without local dialogue or creative problem-solving, is painful for so many people
'The way this has been handled has left many local people feeling disrespected and shut out,' he said.
'Riverside was built through public and charitable money in the 1970s. It was dedicated by the Queen. It served as a professional arts venue, teaching space and community hub.
'To see it mothballed behind closed doors, without local dialogue or creative problem-solving, is painful for so many people here.'
Mr Millar continued: 'That said, there is a glimmer of hope. The Coleraine Fund is now actively exploring options to create a new cultural space for the borough.
'While nothing can truly replace Riverside's legacy, there's a strong sense locally that Coleraine deserves, and needs, a dedicated arts venue.
'We're determined not to lose that vision, even as the curtain falls on this chapter.'
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said she is 'absolutely gutted' that the Riverside Theatre will close its doors and hopes 'it's not for the final time'.
"This venue has been the lifeblood of our arts and cultural scene for decades. Permanent closure would be a devastating blow, leaving this as the only council area without a dedicated theatre,' she added.
'Without this space, the next generation of actors and performers will be forced to look elsewhere for opportunities and our community will be all the poorer for it.
'It's deeply disappointing that Ulster University have yet to respond to my request for a meeting to discuss the way forward and the response from the Communities Minister has also fallen short.
'I have widely engaged with local groups on the future of the theatre and will continue to work with all stakeholders to explore every possible avenue to keep the theatre open or find an alternative venue, and to deliver real investment in our local arts sector.'
UU has been contacted, but previously said it wanted to 'focus our resources on core academic activities'.