More than half of jobs at Exeter's Northcott Theatre at risk after funding rejection

More than 50% of workers at Exeter's Northcott Theatre are at risk of losing their jobs after an application for emergency funding was rejected.

Bosses applied to Arts Council England (ACE) for a part of its Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund but were turned down.

The theatre's Artistic Director Daniel Buckroyd said he now has to make "tough decisions" to ensure the survival of the charity, including the possible redundancy of more than half of the workforce.

The Northcott team has had to cancel more than 200 scheduled performances during the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a loss of more than £2 million in revenue.

However, since the theatre is 90% reliant on its earned income for survival after ACE removed the majority of the venue's core funding in 2010, it is considered too financially stable when compared to other venues and organisations.

Mr Buckroyd said the funding decision "is a real blow to culture in Exeter" but reassured supporters the team is "doing everything we can to get the theatre's doors open again".

On Monday 6 July the government announced a £1.57bn support package for culture, arts and heritage organisations in Britain, including theatres, independent cinemas, museums and the live music sector.

The Northcott is hopeful that it will get some financial support from that fund when further details are released.