Latest news with #StevenMillar
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Campaigners urge Riverside Theatre co-funder from 1970s to help save it: ‘This is not a dying theatre – it is an underfunded one'
The 350-seater Riverside Theatre was built in 1976 by the New University of Ulster, in partnership with Coleraine Borough Council, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, a public fundraising appeal and the Gulbenkian Foundation. Steven Millar, from the Save the Riverside Theatre group, has written to the Gulbenkian Foundation, as well as Communities Minister Gordan Lyons and Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald, with 'urgent concern' about the imminent closure of the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine an institution which Gulbenkian Foundation helped found. The Gulbenkian Foundation is an international organisation promoting the development of individuals and organisations through art, science, education, and charity, for a more equitable and sustainable society. In March of this year, UU suggested that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council could take on a lease of the theatre, and also pay the annual running costs and the necessary repairs. Ulster University has previously 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. "In the face of unprecedented financial challenges… it is more important than ever that we focus our resources on core academic activities," a university spokesperson said. Mr Millar said Ulster University (UU) has announced its intention to close the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine by the end of July 2025 without public consultation, without a feasibility study, without an equality impact assessment, and without any formal process to explore viable alternatives. 'This isn't just a devastating civic and cultural loss. It also violates the public and charitable commitments under which Riverside was founded and dishonors the spirit of Gulbenkian's original investment,' he said. 'This is not a dying theatre. It is an underfunded one. There are viable options: we are actively exploring a charitable trust or a lease model to allow continued operation. 'But these alternatives are being shut out before they can be tested. Ulster University has declined, so far, to pause the closure timeline or publicly engage. 'That is why we are calling on you as a founding funder and cultural leader to intervene. You co-built Riverside Theatre. Your voice now could help protect it.' Designed by Peter Moro, Riverside remains the only flexible-format theatre of its kind on the island of Ireland. From its inception, the Riverside was never a conventional university department it was a civic and cultural asset, created for the benefit of the wider public. Mr Millar has claimed this decision breaches legal and public duties on multiple grounds, citing that it was co-funded by charitable and public taxpayer money including the Gulbenkian Foundation. Under UK and Northern Irish law, he said, such assets may be subject to charitable purpose restrictions, requiring that they continue to serve the public benefit for which they were created. Chris Robinson Chair, Equity Lagan & East Branch obo Lagan & East Branch, has also written to UU's Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Bartholomew. He said: 'This announcement by the University of Ulster comes as yet another body blow to the Arts in Northern Ireland and is further evidence of the lack of importance that local decision makers place in the arts and the community who engage with them.' Mr Robinson also accused the local council and department for communities of 'passing the blame'. Ulster University, DfC and Causeway Coast & Glens Council have been contacted.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Coleraine: Protest held over planned Riverside Theatre closure
A protest against the planned closure of the Riverside Theatre has been held in Coleraine, County University (UU) announced last week that the theatre building, located on its Coleraine campus, will close in August after nearly 50 years in university previously stated the building has "come to the end of its life" and would require significant capital investment to remain in use.A number of 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, which is billed as Northern Ireland's oldest operating professional theatre outside of Belfast opened in the 1970s, has a capacity of about 350 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 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, said the university faced "unprecedented financial challenges" and said "it is more important than ever that we focus our resources on core academic activities". 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 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. 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 councillor Lee Kane said the planned closure is "deeply concerning" for the local community."We know how vital the Riverside Theatre is for the local arts and theatre scene here on the north coast," he told BBC News NI."It is the only theatre of its type within this area, and you would have to travel quite a distance to find another theatre like this one—or one that is able to host the same level of productions as the Riverside."We want the Riverside to remain open, and we want to see it continue as a theatre." 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 council currently operates two smaller community arts venues: Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart and Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady. 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.
Belfast Telegraph
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Ulster University decision to close Riverside Theatre is 'unacceptable', say campaigners
It comes after Ulster University (UU), which owns the 350-person capacity venue on its Coleraine campus, previously said it was reviewing how the theatre is used. In March of this year, UU suggested that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council could take on a lease of the theatre, and also pay the annual running costs and the necessary repairs. It's understood that Ulster University has held meetings with trade unions and confirmed that the theatre will cease operations at the end of July. This decision has reportedly been made behind closed doors, with no public consultation, despite the theatre being a publicly funded space within a public university. Steven Millar from the Campaign to Save Riverside Theatre said: 'This is unacceptable. 'The Riverside Theatre is not just a university facility – it is a vital regional asset. 'It sits on the grounds of an educational institution that publicly commits to civic engagement, community partnership, and cultural enrichment. 'And yet, these values appear to be abandoned in this decision. 'With nearly 1,500 people already signing our petition, it is clear that the public feels strongly about this.' He added: 'The Riverside is deeply rooted in our local and regional identity. For almost 50 years – since its opening by Her Majesty The Queen – it has supported education, creativity, and community life. 'We are not asking for miracles. We are asking for transparency, accountability, and meaningful compromise.' He asked politicians to challenge the decision, to demand answers from Ulster University and 'stand with your constituents'. Mr Millar said: 'The community is stepping up. I sincerely hope the same is happening within our political and civic leadership. 'I want to thank those of you who have already responded and supported this campaign – but we urgently need more of you to speak up. 'This isn't just about a theatre – it's about public space, public value, and public trust.' Fears for the theatre have persisted over the years, with reports from 2021 showing its future was in doubt even then, after Ulster University withdrew a request for council funding. The theatre, commissioned by the New University of Ulster (now Ulster University) in the 1970s, has seen many Irish, British and international stage, screen and television stars perform in the Riverside. Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, who was the university's chancellor until recently, is one of the famous faces who have starred at the theatre beside the Bann over the years. He even named his winning racehorse 'Riverside Theatre'. GoldenEye star Alan Cumming, comedian and former University of Ulster student Omid Djalili, and Trainspotting actor Jonny Lee Miller have all taken to the Riverside's stage. Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson were unknowns when they played in the Bannside theatre, having just graduated from the Cambridge Footlights. Ulster University has told the BBC 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. "In the face of unprecedented financial challenges… it is more important than ever that we focus our resources on core academic activities," a university spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the university said they have "supported and delivered this civic asset for fifty years" but "the building itself has now come to the end of its life". They said the university acknowledges the news "will come as a disappointment to many" but that they wanted to express "heartfelt gratitude to the artists, audiences, staff and supporters" who made it "such a special place for so many years". The spokesperson added that it "remains open to working with local partners and stakeholders to explore new ways to support arts and culture in the region, even as we navigate these constrained times".
