The venue has been hard hit by the Covid-19 crisis, having been forced to shut its doors on 26 March and to refund customers for dozens of shows that were due to take place.
Theatre director Jasmine Hendry released a statement saying that it was too early for them to consider a reopening date and that the Opera House would remain closed until next spring.
She added that staff were still working remotely and were ‘focusing their efforts’ on the survival of the Opera House.
‘All of our shows this year have been cancelled or provisionally moved to 2021 or 2022,’ she said. ‘We also have to consider the financial viability of opening under social-distancing guidelines which currently, when the fees, travel, accommodation costs and reduced seating capacity are factored in, make the situation unfeasible.’
In July the government announced that it would like to provide a £50 million fiscal stimulus package to help boost the economy as it recovered from the Covid-19 crisis.
Ministers said that potential recipients might include Fort Regent and the Jersey Opera House, which could, for example, be handed funds for renovation works.
A government spokesperson said that how the fund operated would be determined once the States had approved its formation.
‘The Treasury Minister [Susie Pinel] announced plans for a Fiscal Stimulus Fund on 10 July 2020 as we look to sustain momentum in our Island economy,’ she said. ‘The States Assembly will be asked to approve this fund and further details on eligibility and application process will follow on from that States Assembly decision.’
The Government Plan allocated £700,000 of funding towards heritage and culture in 2020, including an extra £91,400 for the Opera House, taking its overall level of subsidy to £555,000.
The spokeswoman indicated that funding for heritage and culture next year would be decided during a States debate on the updated Government Plan in October.
‘The Council of Ministers allocated additional expenditure to heritage, arts and culture during 2020 and have supported the sector during a challenging year to date,’ she said.
‘Future funding will be considered in the new Government Plan that is under development and due to be lodged with the States Assembly in October 2020.’
