Lincoln Theatre Royal’s previous director has confirmed that his companies owe money to 26 different parties who performed at the venue in the past year.

Ian Dickens, who leased the theatre from the local council for almost three years under his company Lincoln Theatre Holdings Limited, said all of the creditors will be paid.

Lincoln Theatre Holdings Limited and Dickens’ corresponding venue management company, Lincoln Theatre Limited, both went into administration this summer. He was unable to confirm the total amount owed to the creditors, but said it was “not into six figures”.

The appointed administrator of Lincoln Theatre Limited confirmed that the sale of the company’s assets will pay the secured creditor, but all other unsecured creditors will receive no money from this.

Meanwhile, a local amateur dramatics group said it was paid back several thousand pounds by Lincoln Theatre Limited earlier this month.

City of Lincoln Council sold the theatre this July for £125,000 to another company, LTR Properties Limited, and its theatre management company LTR Trading Limited, which names its director as accountant Jean Van Biene.

However, Dickens has confirmed that he has maintained his position as artistic director and will work with the theatre’s new owners.