Coelraine: Concerns over long-term future of Riverside Theatre

Councillor Yvonne Boyle raised concerns over the future of the theatre with UU vice-chancellor Paul Bartholomew at a meeting of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on Tuesday.

She said he “could not provide any firm assurances” about the theatre’s future at the meeting, but was told that discussions remain ongoing.

“He did say the venue requires a lot of capital infrastructure improvement,” she said.

“I would often go to the Riverside as I am myself very interested in the Arts, so it would be a real shame if the venue was to potentially close.

“It is a cultural institution, I mean it is the place where [the actor] James Nesbitt got his start and so many others like him.

“So many theatre groups, amateur dramatic societies, performers right across the north coast, all rely on the space and it really is vital for the whole region.”