'Our finances have been precarious for a long time'

The Bristol Improv Theatre has closed unexpectedly, citing its ‘precarious financial position’.

The venue opened in 2017 and featured a fully-equipped 100-seat theatre with a licensed bar, rehearsal rooms and office space for creative start-ups.

In a statement published on its website, the trustees said it was ‘so painful’ to share the news of the closure.

They said: ‘The timing of this closure is more sudden than we had hoped. Unforeseen circumstances have meant that we are no longer able to continue operating, and the BIT must therefore close with immediate effect.

‘We know this will come as a shock to many people, particularly those who were expecting to perform, attend classes, see shows, volunteer, work or simply spend time at the theatre in the coming days and weeks. We are deeply sorry that there has not been more time to prepare for this or to say goodbye in the way that many of us would have wanted.

‘We also know that for some people the Bristol Improv Theatre is more than a place they visit, it’s an important part of their social, creative and professional lives. The suddenness of this closure makes that loss especially difficult, and we are very conscious of the impact it will have across the community.

They admitted: 'The reality is that the theatre’s finances have been precarious for a long time.'

Its most recent accounts, filed in December, showed an annual loss of £16,004.

However, in that report chair Raeesa Rajmohamed – who later stepped down – painted an upbeat picture, saying: ‘Our financial position has transformed dramatically’, adding that training revenue was up 249 per cent, venue hire up 7.3 per cent and bar profits up 29 per cent.’

She added that the trust had achieved ‘an additional milestone: excluding our long-term loans, for the first time in years, we have completely cleared outstanding debt’.

But in the statement announcing the closure, the venue said: ‘The reality is that the theatre’s finances have been precarious for a long time.

‘As a small independent arts organisation, the BIT has operated with very limited financial reserves, making it vulnerable when income falls short, operating costs increase, or unexpected pressures arise.

‘For a long time, the theatre has continued through an enormous amount of work, commitment and goodwill from staff, trustees, performers, teachers, volunteers and the community around it.

‘Over recent weeks, a detailed review of the organisation’s financial position was undertaken, alongside consideration of the options available to secure its future. Following a professional review of the theatre’s finances and extensive consideration of the available options, the charity was determined to be unsustainable. This was not a decision made lightly.’

The closure will have financial ramifications for those using the venue, which is in St Paul's Road, Clifton.

Freelance improv tutor Tara Judah worked at the theatre and told the BBC the news was ‘devastating’ and ‘financially upsetting’.

She said: ‘They still owe me money for the last couple of months of teaching, and I do not know if I will be paid now. I have the loss of future work, I have children, I have a mortgage to pay, and so the loss of work is not much short of devastating because I have to scramble to find some other work.’

Published: 18 Oct 2026