Belltable to close in New Year

AFTER nearly 32 years in operation the Belltable Arts Centre will be closing in early January with the loss of five jobs.

The closure does not affect the CentreStage panto currently running in the theatre.

In a statement released by the Belltable confirming the staff layoffs and closure the board of the company state they are proposing โ€œa re-structuring planโ€ that would set the venue on a โ€œsustainable path for the futureโ€.

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The employees were informed shortly before Christmas that the centre was to โ€œtemporarily closeโ€ on January 7.

Acting chairman of the board, Patricia Byrne, said that the closure would allow the venue some โ€œbreathing spaceโ€.

โ€œThe reason we are closing is to allow an opportunity to re-structure and put a good strong plan in place for the future.โ€

Limerick Post understands funding applications have been submitted to Limerick City Council and the Arts Council, who largely fund the Belltableโ€™s operation.

Chimes cafe in the basement of the theatre is to remain open and will trade as usual.