A CROWDFUNDING page has been set up to help save one of Wirral’s oldest theatres from “imminent closure” and re-open its doors.

It is part of a campaign launched to save the popular Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight, which has entertained the public since the early 1890s.

The iconic building, in Greendale Road, was among hundreds of performance spaces across the country forced to close its doors when the pandemic began.

Management had recently found out their application for the Culture Recovery Grant from the Government, to help them through the crisis was unsuccessful.

They now need your help in order to ensure that the shows can go on long into the future.

Appealing for help in a post on the theatre’s Facebook page, a spokesperson for the historic venue, which was the former dining hall of Lever Brothers employees, wrote: "As you may have seen in the media recently a lot of arts organisations were awarded funding under the culture recovery grant which is fantastic news and we couldn’t be happier for our fellow venues.

"However, we unfortunately weren’t as lucky and didn’t receive a penny with no explanation as to why.

"We personally thought we did a fantastic application and are heartbroken to have found out we were rejected with no reasoning.

"We may be disappointed that the Government has chosen not to fund our culturally beautiful and historic theatre, but we won’t let this stop our fight for survival.

"This is why we need you now more than ever! We know we have the best audience and supporters out there and in order for us to continue to deliver the high quality shows you both know and love we are asking for your help.

"We have set up a crowdfunding page to help us raise funds to save our theatre from imminent closure and allow us to re-open our doors."

To help, go to: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-the-gladstone.

The spokesperson continued: "If you are in a position to donate and want to support us through the most difficult and challenging time we have ever faced, we would massively appreciate it!

"Let's show that we’re not culturally insignificant and we will Save The Gladstone. For us this is not the finale, it is just an interval."