 The Haymarket Theatre will close until next year |
More than 70 staff will lose their jobs when Leicester's Haymarket Theatre closes in July. The theatre announced it will close temporarily because of nearly �500,000 in debts, but plans to reopen in 2004.
A 60-day consultation process has begun with the unions to decide on a redundancy package.
The theatre says the level of payments will depend on its rescue bid, but should be more than the statutory minimum.
Tight budgets
The Arts Council England says it will work with the theatre to ensure it will re-open.
The Arts Council's executive director for the East Midlands, Laura Dyer, said: "The arts council and city council are determined to work with the staff at the theatre to make sure the closure is not permanent," she said.
"This isn't a permanent closure, and it isn't a step they have taken lightly, but in the light of the financial difficulties, it is the best way forward.
"They are working on very tight budgets and have very little margins of error," she added.
One-Minute World News 
News services
Email this to a friend 
Printable version 
