CHESTER'S Storyhouse says its financial position is becoming "steadily worse" as lockdown restrictions across the region start to bite and it awaits news on crucial Government support.

After a successful summer, touring programmes from cinema and theatre producers have started to dry up.

Storyhouse has requested more than £700,000 from the Government’s delayed Cultural Recovery Fund, and says its immediate future relies heavily on receiving support.

The charity says the current situation "could not be more serious" but it will continue to fight for its survival and urged people to back them by buying tickets for its Christmas show.

CEO Andrew Bentley said: "I've been so overwhelmingly proud of what we have achieved since lockdown in March. We were the first theatre, first library and first cinema in the UK to reopen and now we are one of only a small handful of venues to put on a Christmas show.

"Staying open when so many others are closed is a really hard position to be in, especially in this current climate, but we are in a fight for survival and this is how we fight.

"We are open simply to preserve jobs and to serve our community, it’s all we can do, and the least we should do.

“The situation however could not be more serious for us than it is right now, with two thirds of the country’s theatres still could be out of business by Christmas. We need to get through this period successfully if we are to avoid that fate.

"We would hope that everyone will buy a ticket for Christmas as we go full steam ahead with preparations for A Christmas Carol, it really is the best way to help us right now.

"The show must go on, we’ll take any lockdowns and circuit breakers in our stride and will do our best to ensure that everyone gets to see the show, so customers can buy with confidence.

"We’re making all the usual preparations for a wonderful family Christmas. We’ll find a way of making sure Christmas happens in Chester, come hellish lockdown or high water."

A Christmas Carol, which is being written and directed by Storyhouse’s artistic director Alex Clifton, runs from November 7 until January 19.

Audiences are limited to 180 per performance (normally 480) and are spaced out during the show which will run without an interval.

The venue is introducing a new service for customers to order drinks from their seats as well as in advance.