EXETER’S  Northcott theatre  has been saved from immediate  closure and will complete most  of its planned performances, administrators have revealed.

And talks are continuing to  secure its long-term future.

Around half a dozen of the  cash-strapped theatre’s 80 full  and part-time staff are being  made redundant. Two other  staff were made redundant last  month.

As revealed in the Echo, it  was feared the theatre may have  to close after running into financial difficulties.

But the Arts Council has announced it will provide an extra  £100,000 to enable it to complete  most of its spring programme.

Only the in-house production  Whipping It Up is likely to be  dropped.

The Arts Council, Exeter City  Council and the University of  Exeter have held talks with accountants now running the  theatre since the shock announcement last month that it  was being put into administration.

The university, which owns  the theatre building, and the  city council will now develop a  longer term plan to safeguard  its future — and a new company  and board will be set up to run  the theatre.

 Chris Humphrey, South West  executive director of Arts Council England, said: “We are  pleased to have enabled the majority of the Northcott’s spring  programme to go ahead and that  audiences will not be disappointed.

“We considered our funding  very carefully in the light of the  theatre’s current financial  problems and have concluded   further investment now will  help to secure the future of the  Northcott. We will continue to  work closely with the other  stakeholders to determine the  best way forward for the theatre  and we look forward to seeing  their plans for the new company  and vision.”

He added: “It is good to know   we are all committed to finding  ways to ensure  excellent theatre  in all its forms will be available  for the audiences of Exeter and  further afield.”

Jeremy Lindley, the university’s director of corporate  services, said: “We are delighted the theatre’s spring season will now largely go ahead  unaltered.

 “The university is extremely  keen to keep the theatre as a  community resource and would  wish to provide financial support to a new and viable artistic  venture.

“We are looking forward to  continuing our partnership  with Exeter City Council and  other stakeholders.”

Richard Ball, head of economy and tourism for Exeter  City Council, said: “The city  council is pleased that it looks  like a way forward has been  found by the Arts Council, the  university and ourselves with  the administrator to keep the  theatre open.

 “The theatre is a very important part of the cultural life  and reputation of the city and  the council is committed to doing what it can to support it.”

Exeter MP and Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said: “I  would like to thank and congratulate all those who have  been working so hard over the  last couple of weeks to secure  the short and long-term future  of theatre at the Northcott.

 “It is highly valued by the  people of Exeter and the wider  region who can now look forward to a continuing high quality arts programme.”

Ian Walker, of Begbies  Traynor, who was appointed administrator by the theatre’s  trustees at the end of February,  said: “I am delighted that we  and the stakeholders have managed to put the case successfully  to Arts Council England for  funding to secure the Northcott’s immediate future.

 “I am confident that the ideas  which are being considered for  a new way to proceed longer  term, and the lessons which will  have been learned from this administration, have the potential  to secure a healthy and fulfilling future for this fine regional theatre.”

Supporters of the theatre welcomed the news, including the  University of Exeter’s students’  guild.

Gemma Richens, the   guild’s  finance, activities and trading  officer, said: “This is fantastic  news for both students and the  local community.

 “We look forward to working  with the venue in the future and  to continuing our varied schedule of student performances.”

Pinhoe councillor Ruth  Smith, a long-term supporter of  the theatre, said: “I think it’s  fantastic, I really do. I felt very  despondent about things and  really didn’t want the Northcott  to shut.

 “There are a lot of things to  think about but I think we will  be back on track very soon.”

For more reaction to the  Northcott announcement, see  tomorrow’s Echo.