Another of the North West region’s major theatres is to close.
Liverpool’s historic Epstein Theatre goes dark at the end of this month—hard on the heels of Oldham’s Coliseum which closed in the spring.
The latest closure is blamed on Liverpool City Council’s financial pressures meaning the leasing deal is unsustainable.
Epstein Entertainments Ltd was awarded the contract to operate the venue. The council covered a proportion of rent, service charge, utilities and maintenance work. Since the 1960s the council has subsidised the theatre, currently a figure in excess of £100,000 per year.
Epstein Entertainments has searched for funding opportunities, including advice from Arts Council England, and investigated alternative company structures.
All productions to June 30 will go ahead as planned. For productions after that date, the aim is to transfer to other local venues.
Ticket-holders for cancelled performances will receive an automatic refund.
Artistic and operations director Chantelle Nolan said, “since opening the theatre to the public in December 2021, we have worked to make the business a success, but unfortunately with the costs we are now facing, it’s become an impossible task. The work to maintain the theatre to HSE standards and comply with legal requirements have become a severe drain on finances. Unfortunately, without Council support, it impossible to make it a financial success.”
Artistic and communications director Bill Elms added, “this closure is a huge loss for the region. It’s heart-breaking the theatre is forced to close when there is such positive signs of growth and stability.”