A  company that runs two Sutton theatres has gone into administration, citing audience numbers “too low to continue operating”.

Sutton Theatres Trust, which runs The Secombe and The Cryer, collapsed last night after running out of money.

The Sutton Guardian reported yesterday how a high-profile comedy promoter had cancelled five upcoming shows over unpaid fees for a previous performance.

The trust’s PR manager insisted on Wednesday it had “no financial issues”.

But administrators Herron Fisher were appointed to run the trust yesterday. All four staff members at the council-owned venues have been made redundant.

Sutton Council handed the reins of The Secombe in Sutton town centre and The Cryer, formerly known as the Charles Cryer Studio Theatre, in Carshalton, to the trust last year.

At the time, the council said the move would safeguard the future of the theatres, which were threatened with closure due to budget cuts.

A spokeswoman for Herron Fisher said: “Following substantial investment, attendances had doubled since the Trust took over the running of the theatres, however this still proved too low to continue operating.

“There was no more money to invest in the company and there appears to be no prospect of a sale of the business outside of an insolvency process.  It was therefore decided to put the company into administration to allow the administrators to try to find such a buyer.

“There are, however, significant physical assets to be dealt with and also a database that might have a value to a purchaser of the business if it is sold quickly.”

The administrators confirmed a performance by comedian Josh Widdicombe, which had been scheduled to take place at The Secombe August 18, has been cancelled.

Promoters Off the Kerb told the Sutton Guardian on Wednesday that four other scheduled shows – featuring comics Jeremy Hardy, Seann Walsh, Shappi Khorsandi and Marcus Brigstocke - "are not going to happen".

The comedy agency pulled the plug on the performances after Sutton Theatres Trust failed to pay £3,432 for a gig by comedian Mark Steel in May.

Ann Kennedy, financial manager at Off Kerb, said before the trust went into administration: “I feel that there is something wrong here and another theatre company I have spoken to have also not received any payment for shows that took place in February.

“We have done our best to bring top-quality performances to the area, but due to the financial instability of the company none of our acts will be going ahead."

In response, the trust’s executive director Beri Juraic launched an extraordinary attack on Off the Kerb, claiming the promoter was in “breach of their contact” and accusing it of a "crass and unedifying way to conduct business".

Just a day before the trust went into administration, the trust’s PR manager Chris Hislop said: “There are no financial issues. Not even a little bit.”

Herron Fisher’s spokeswoman said today: “Sutton Theatre Trust took over both struggling theatres from the local council in 2015 with the hope of increasing attendances through substantial investment and professional input. In the past three months, The Trust also sought extra funding from private donors and European funding bodies in order to continue running the theatres.

“Unfortunately, it became apparent that this wasn't possible without any local support.

“A show scheduled for August 18, will now not go ahead. All ticket holders will be informed of this today and will be advised to make a refund claim against their credit cards (where relevant) or make a claim to the Administrators.”

A Sutton Council spokesman said: "Sutton Theatres Trust took control of the Secombe and Charles Cryer venues from Sutton Council in July 2015.

"The council completed all necessary due diligence and worked with the Trust throughout the transfer on lease and legal matters. The council is disappointed to learn the Trust has gone into administration.

"As the freeholder of both the Secombe and Cryer theatres the council will now work to ensure the obligations of the leasehold agreement are met."

Have you been affected by Sutton Theatres Trust going into administration? Call 020 8722 6358 or email anders.anglesey@london.newsquest.co.uk