Theatre closing down due to 'challenging time'

A community theatre has announced its closure after entering voluntary liquidation.

Sterts Theatre CIC said its board had taken the "difficult decision" to place it into creditors' voluntary liquidation amid an "exceptionally challenging time for cultural and arts organisations".

In a statement on social media, the organisation said it was with "immense sadness" it was announcing the closure, adding it was "deeply grateful" to everybody who had been part of it.

Paula Every, who has been involved with the theatre in Upton Cross in the past, said: "It's a lovely theatre now and it would be really sad if it wasn't used by the community which is who it should be being used by."

The theatre had closed in 2022 after its iconic canopy suffered weather damage, prompting a major fundraising push.

Cornwall Council and the government contributed a total of £560,000 which, together with insurance pay-outs and local donations, paid for the construction of a new theatre building, which reopened in 2024.

Every said it was once a "lovely community space".

"We would have plays there every summer.

"It was a family. There were volunteers that would help sell the tickets and do the gardening.

"When it was run before and we were short of funds, it would be the volunteers that painted the fences and did the gardening and it was a family affair."

In its statement on social media, Sterts Theatre CIC said the decision "comes at an exceptionally challenging time for cultural and arts organisations across the sector".

It added: "We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of Sterts - our employees, volunteers, artists, freelancers, audiences, partners, funders, donors and supporters.

"Your creativity, generosity and commitment have shaped Sterts and the community around it.

"Sterts Theatre CIC has been brought to life by generations of people who have given their time, talent, imagination and heart to this special place. We are deeply sorry that we have not been able to secure Sterts' future.

"To everyone who has given a part of themselves to our Theatre: thank you. You will always be part of its story."

The BBC has contacted Sterts for further comment.

Correction 12 October: An earlier version of this article stated that £1m was awarded to Sterts by Cornwall Council and the UK Government. This story has been amended to make clear that the money for the rebuild was made up of different sources including grants, insurance pay-outs and donations.

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