Pressure grows on Ulster University over closure

Ulster University is coming under increasing pressure over its decision to close the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine, County Londonderry.

The university, which owns and operates the theatre, has said it will close the building at the end of July due to financial pressures.

University officials will meet councillors on Tuesday to look at options.

In a statement, Ulster University said 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”.

Steven Millar, from the Save Riverside campaign, told BBC News NI: “This isn’t just a local theatre story, this is a warning to every community in Northern Ireland.”

He added: “If Ulster University can shut down our only theatre, despite community protest and widespread support, what’s to stop them or other institutions from closing more public spaces anywhere?”

Mr Millar said the university has not given the community enough time to make proposals for other ways the theatre could be funded, such as a charitable trust or community asset transfer.

“This isn’t just about Coleraine,” he said.

“It’s about every town and every family that values public spaces, local arts, and the right to be heard.”

Actor James Nesbitt was Ulster University’s chancellor for more than a decade.

“It’s so disappointing that the university of which I was chancellor for 10 years finds itself in the position that it feels it necessary to close this iconic arts venue which was the launch pad of my career,” he said.

“However, I’m also disappointed in the long-term reduction in investment in the arts by the Arts Council, the NI Executive and the local authority in performing arts in the north west.

“I think the agencies involved need to get together to invest in the future of the arts in this community. It will be sorely missed.”

By Robbie Meredith, BBC News NI Education & Arts Correspondent

Ulster University’s most recent accounts for 2023/24 do not paint a picture of a university facing significant financial problems.

Indeed, the documents themselves say the university’s financial results are “positive”.

However, like other universities, UU is facing challenges due to government funding falling below inflation and what the university says is a “significant downturn” in international student recruitment.

Universities in Northern Ireland recently made a failed bid for tuition fees to rise, arguing they had not kept pace with inflation.

According to its accounts, UU received basic funding of about £84m from Stormont in 2023/24 and about £131m in student fees of various kinds as well as other self-generated income.

With three big campuses to run and staff though, the university also has significant expenditure.

But the costs of running the Riverside Theatre, although not insignificant, are a very small part of the university’s overall budget.

The Department for the Economy has said that during the 2024/25 academic year, Ulster University received £88m of core grant funding for teaching and research from the department, along with funding of £7.6m for other specific research programmes.

In addition, the department provided the university £13.8m in funding during financial year 2024-25 to support capital projects.

A spokesperson for the Department said the minister “recognises the cultural and historical significance of the Riverside Theatre as the oldest professional theatre outside of Belfast”.

But they added the decision to close it was taken by the university, adding that support for the arts does not come under the department’s remit.

“The minister and officials remain open to discussing any issues affecting the institution and its campuses,” they said.

In a statement, Ulster University said unprecedented financial challenges means it has to focus resources on “core academic activities”.

“Having supported and delivered this civic asset for 50 years, the building itself has now come to the end of its life and requires significant capital investment to remain in use.”

The university estimates this to be £745,000 in the immediate term, and is in addition to the annual running costs of £495,000.

It added they “appreciate that this news will come as a disappointment to many” and they remain open to exploring “new ways to support arts and culture in the region”.

A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said taking on the extensive repair bill and ongoing running costs of the theatre would 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.