Theatre blames Olympics for closure

A popular South London theatre which has entertained audiences for almost 25 years is to close in April.

The Galleon Theatre Company, which puts on more than 14 plays a year and has staged productions at Greenwich Playhouse since 1995, is not having its lease renewed. It claims this is because landlord Beds & Bars wants to take advantage of commercial opportunities offered by the Olympics.

Artistic director Alice de Sousa said: "It is regrettable that the theatre's landlord, who have benefited for 11 years from generous revenue generated by the theatre, should have their sights focused on such short-term objectives as the Olympics."

But a spokesman for hostel company Beds & Bars denied this and said it appreciated the venue's "value as an entertainment space" but wanted to explore "different options". It would no longer be offering long-term leases.

Galleon will shut on April 10 after a production of The Duchess of Malfi.