Derry theatre to close after funding loss

Derry’s Waterside Theatre has announced it will close at the end of June due to a lack of funds.

The 372-capacity theatre was told earlier this month that it would no longer receive annual funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI).

The theatre's Chief Executive Iain Barr said the decision to close followed “careful consideration by the board and management of the organisation”.

It will use its reserves to fulfil diary commitments until 30 June.

Barr said Waterside had "received annual funding support for a long number of years" and that ACNI was its main funder. 

The theatre opened in 2001 in a converted factory building. It also has a gallery space, full-screen cinema, conference rooms and a cafe.

ACNI said that although the theatre's application for annual funding had been unsuccessful, it would continue to be "open to discussions on future sources of funding support".