A Carlisle theatre has announced that it will remain closed until next year due to the continued risks posed by Covid-19.

Management at The Green Room Club, based at the West Walls theatre, just off Victoria Viaduct in Carlisle city centre, has decided to keep the theatre closed for the rest of 2020.

This is due to the continued concerns over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and the particular difficulties of ensuring sufficient social distancing in the venue.

David Wood, chairman of the popular amateur theatre group, said that the theatre’s executive found itself in “quite a dilemma” as the Covid-19 lockdown began to lift in recent months over whether it was the right move to reopen.

“We are aware of both the Government guidelines and initiatives and for our small venue, sometimes these are at odds,” Mr Wood said.

“Although it is deemed safe for amateur theatres to open alongside professional ones – under strict social distances and deep cleaning measures – the narrowness of our entrance and the difficulty in avoiding a close proximity in the foyer would make an early opening of the theatre untenable as it would be almost impossible to function safely.

“As previously hinted, the executive have therefore decided to defer this year’s season to 2021.”

Mr Wood added that this was sad news to be sharing, but that he was confident that the Carlisle theatre “shall emerge all the stronger for our patience and our long wait will herald a moment of splendour as the curtain begins to open for the first time.”