The Alley Theatre and Visitor Information Centre in Strabane, County Tyrone, will close for approximately six months to facilitate extensive repair and restoration works following the recent discovery of a substantial water leak at the venue.

The closure will commence from Friday, September 25. A full assessment of the damage and necessary work was carried out by Derry City and Strabane District Council's property teams as soon as the leak became apparent and in recent weeks a further external report was carried out which indicated the urgent need to address the issues.

The remedial works are expected to be extensive and will require a significant drying out period in addition to the physical works.

"Council appreciates the impact and concern the works will have on service users and the wider community in the short term," a spokesperson for the council said.

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"Council officers are working with the insurers to minimise the cost to ratepayers and the detail of that will be presented to Elected Members in the coming weeks.

"We are working with all our partners to ensure the work takes place as quickly and efficiently as possible so we can return to serving the community and hosting events, performances and exhibitions and providing visitor information services as early as possible in 2026.

"The closure will also provide an opportunity for other potential improvement works to take place at the venue to create an enhanced facility ahead of our reopening and the celebrations for its 20th anniversary in 2027."

The works will result in the cancellation of some events planned for six months until the end of March 2026 and the venue team are working with promoters to manage that process.

As a purely precautionary measure the venue will only take provisional bookings then until September 2026 to allow for any unforeseen issues once the work commences.

Staff at the venue will remain in the employment of council for the duration of the work and will support Alley Theatre projects or other council services during this period.

Customers with tickets for performances cancelled during the closure will receive a full refund from the Alley Box Office.

To cancel tickets booked for events after September 25, customers are asked to contact the Alley Theatre Box Office on 028 71 384444.