There are concerns over the long-term future of the Riverside Theatre in Coleraine, where Cold Feet star James Nesbitt cut his teeth as an actor.

It comes after Ulster University, which owns the venue, confirmed that it was reviewing the way it is used.

The Riverside, which opened in the 1970s, is billed as Northern Ireland’s oldest operating professional theatre venue outside of Belfast.

Independent MLA Claire Sugden told BBC News NI she intended to raise the matter urgently with the Economy Minister Conor Murphy and the university authorities.

In a statement, Ulster University (UU) said: “The way in which we use the Riverside Theatre is under review.”

The theatre, which has a capacity of about 350 people, is situated within Ulster University’s Coleraine campus.

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.”

Coleraine teacher and musical theatre performer Alan McClarty described the Riverside Theatre “like his second home” and said it was part of the lifeblood of the community.

“I have appeared on the Riverside stage for hundreds of performances, so the place means a lot to me,” he said.

“The space is used by countless organisations.

“I cannot overstate how much the place means to so many people, not just in the Arts, but also to every single person who comes and sees a show there.”

He said the building may need refurbishment but still had everything needed to put on quality productions.

“It is special and it’s ours – it’s the best we have – so to possibly lose it would be incredibly sad.”

Describing the Arts as “an easy target”, Mr McClarty urged politicians to fight for the future of the venue.

Independent assembly member for East Londonderry Claire Sugden described the Riverside Theatre as “an asset that the leadership of Ulster University should be falling over themselves to protect”.

She said whilst other university campuses are being protected, Coleraine “seems to be losing facilities rather than gaining”.

“There are unique reasons why students want to study on the north coast and many choose Coleraine campus over others for these reasons,” she said.

“It baffles me why the university doesn’t build on this – Coleraine campus cannot be allowed to be run down.”

Sugden said she would be seeking meetings with the UU vice-chancellor Paul Bartholomew and Economy Minister Conor Murphy over the future of the theatre.

“There are wider consequences for displacing an important asset, employer and educational facility on the north coast.”