However the chair remains positive for a bright future for the beloved venue, with proposals to reopen with social distancing measures so that visitors can come once again and grant applications in the pipeline to secure financial support.
“At the moment the Winter Gardens has lost its entire income,” she said. “There are running costs of £3,000 a month before we open the doors.

“Over the last three months we have been making sure that the work planned will still go ahead.
“In the past year we have had a complete governance review and brought in a new set of trustees.
“We are also putting a financial plan in place to make sure that the Winter Gardens is safe, we are putting in for grants and funding.”

In the coming weeks, the organisation will launch a crowdfunding campaign to help make up some of the money lost through lack of income.

Plans are also being put in place to ensure safety for guests returning when lockdown is eased once more.
“The good thing is that the venue is huge,” added Prof Toulmin. “We could get 300 people in there with social distancing.

“I am looking at ways we could run tours with household groups to ensure social distancing when we reopen.”