There are concerns over the future of the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine after the vice-chancellor of Ulster University said the venue was “under review”.
Located on the banks of the River Bann, the theatre is owned by UU and is within its Coleraine campus.
At a recent meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, UU vice-chancellor Paul Bartholomew outlined a number of enhancements at the campus, including the demolition of the tower beside the main building.
However, Alliance Alderman Yvonne Boyle asked Mr Bartholomew if he was “confident” of the future of the theatre.
“All I can say about the Riverside Theatre at the moment is it’s under review,” he said.
“It’s quite old now and it requires quite a lot of capital infrastructure improvements.”
He added: “Right now, in terms of how we how we would support that, I’m not in a position to give you that assurance because I simply don’t know, but it is something that we are reviewing.”
Following the comments, SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter said she has contacted Mr Bartholomew and Stormont economy minister Conor Murphy to raise her concerns over the future of the theatre, which she described as a “major cultural hub” where “generations of talented young artists have begun their careers”.
“News that the future of the theatre is being reviewed is causing real concern - it is not only an important community asset, but is also key to Ulster University’s arts offering and is regularly used by students on these courses,” she said.
“The loss of the theatre would have a wholly negative impact on the campus itself.”
