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BBC<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThere 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.<\/p>\n It comes after Ulster University, which owns the venue, confirmed that it was reviewing the way it is used.<\/p>\n The Riverside, which opened in the 1970s, is billed as Northern Ireland’s oldest operating professional theatre venue outside of Belfast.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n In a statement, Ulster University (UU) said: “The way in which we use the Riverside Theatre is under review.”<\/p>\n The theatre, which has a capacity of about 350 people, is situated within Ulster University’s Coleraine campus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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. <\/p>\n She said he “could not provide any firm assurances” about the theatre’s future at the meeting, but was told that discussions remain ongoing. <\/p>\n “He did say the venue requires a lot of capital infrastructure improvement,” she said. <\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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. <\/p>\n “I have appeared on the Riverside stage for hundreds of performances, so the place means a lot to me,” he said.<\/p>\n “The space is used by countless organisations.<\/p>\n “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.” <\/p>\n<\/div>\n He said the building may need refurbishment but still had everything needed to put on quality productions. <\/p>\n “It is special and it’s ours – it’s the best we have – so to possibly lose it would be incredibly sad.”<\/p>\n Describing the Arts as “an easy target”, Mr McClarty urged politicians to fight for the future of the venue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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”.<\/p>\n She said whilst other university campuses are being protected, Coleraine “seems to be losing facilities rather than gaining”. <\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “It baffles me why the university doesn’t build on this – Coleraine campus cannot be allowed to be run down.” <\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n “There are wider consequences for displacing an important asset, employer and educational facility on the north coast.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n‘A cultural institution’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Alan McClarty<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n‘It’s special and it’s ours’<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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