Students and teachers wake up to the news their school will close for good

A drama school in Wigan announced that it has closed - leaving students, staff and the whole acting industry reeling.

The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) has branches in Wigan, which is the North campus, and in Wandsworth, London, which is the South campus. The school released a statement on its website on Monday (4 April), announcing its sudden closure.

Teaching and activities at ALRA have been brought to a close, and student records will be transferred to St Mary’s University or Arts University Bournemouth. All teachers and staff at the school have been made redundant, with 29 permanent and 16 fixed-term jobs now gone.

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The school offered BA, MA and Diploma courses in acting, as well as a course in directing. ALRA alumni include comedian Miranda Hart, Chewing Gum actor Robert Lonsdale and Harriet Bibby, who plays Summer Spellman in Coronation Street.

Bosses say the school was forced to close for financial reasons A statement released by ALRA reads: "The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) is no longer able to continue to teach students and will be closed as of Monday 4th April 2022.

"In October 2021 the ALRA Board, after taking advice, decided to seek a new owner to ensure the college's long-term future through an intensive sales process. Unfortunately, after thorough talks with interested parties, this was not possible to achieve. As a result, the ALRA Board sought other options and ultimately resolved to cease teaching students and working with partners, are providing appropriate support to students to find alternative study options."

Students, staff and alumni from ALRA have shared their feelings