STAFF at the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre in Newport have been warned their jobs are at risk.

Newport Live, which runs the venue, is consulting with 33 employees at the theatre who have been placed at risk of redundancy.

The charitable trust, which provides sport, leisure and cultural services in Newport, has placed 97 jobs at risk of redundancy in total due to the impact of coronavirus.

Staff at The Riverfront have written to several Newport city councillors to highlight the situation.

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All staff, except for the manager, have been placed at risk of redundancy, the email says.

“The Welsh assembly guidance around buildings operating as theatres means The Riverfront finds itself in an increasingly untenable position,” it says.

“Theatres are legally not able to open and will not open until April at the earliest.

“But The Riverfront is a multi-functional theatre and arts centre.

“Simply put we do not just house theatre shows. We are more than just a theatre.”

The appeal adds that just as the Riverfront is more than a theatre, the staff are “more than one element of a workforce”.

“We are a box office, bookings, front of house, ushers, technical,” it adds.

“We are cleaners, cafe staff and administration.

“We are outreach, education, community, creative, work experience.

“We are all needed to create and develop a theatre and arts space.

“Without local voices challenging and questioning decisions we will be the poorer in Newport for the loss of the theatre and arts centre and its impact on the city.”

Conservative councillor Charles Ferris questioned if there are plans to re-open the theatre.

“It’s such a prominent building, it would be a tragedy it it went down,” he said.

“This is a flagship building and it seemed to be doing so well.

“These are desperate times when you consider all they do there.”

Steve Ward, chief executive of Newport Live, said The Riverfront is currently unable to open due to Welsh Government guidance.

“Regrettably this means we have 33 members of staff who are employed at The Riverfront at risk of redundancy,” he said.

But Mr Ward said Newport Live is “working to secure rescue funding, including from the Arts Council of Wales, to mitigate against this course of action”.

“At the same time, we are working with our partners and industry bodies to determine how we can re-open The Riverfront safely for our staff and customers, and bring back services that allow the people of Newport to engage in the arts and get creative as well as supporting their mental health and wellbeing,” he added.