Future of theatres unclear amid prolonged RAAC closures

The future of several theatres in the UK is still unclear over a year after changes to government guidance led to a flurry of closures because of concerns over the longevity of the building material reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

Four theatres that closed in 2023 because of RAAC concerns still have no reopening date announced, while five other venues, including Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford, which closed this month, are not expected to open until at least 2025.

Many of the affected organisations continue to hold performances in alternative spaces, including other theatres, sports halls, and temporary venues.

But in some cases, the theatres are still in limbo and experiencing serious challenges, including job losses.

In August, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council said it did not plan to open the Harlequin Theatre and Cinema in Redhill for the “foreseeable future” and will soon begin making staff redundant.

The venue closed in September 2023 after RAAC was found in its structure. Since then, the council has held some cultural events in a pop-up space in a shopping centre, as well as a summer outdoor theatre programme.

The council’s executive has now approved plans to reduce the theatre’s staff to a “core team” of two or three people, who will work on developing a business case for an alternative “medium-term cultural offering” by early 2025.

The theatre currently has 17 staff in full and part-time roles, equating to 13.5 full-time employees and five full-time equivalent vacancies.

A long-term decision on the Harlequin will depend on what is found in further Raac survey work, the authority says, which is expected to deliver results on 15 November.

The council’s leader Richard Biggs said the decision “recognises the need to use public money appropriately… while the Harlequin building remains closed”.

“We are sorry that this means that most of our loyal, hardworking staff will now be at risk of redundancy,” said Biggs.

“We are committed to working closely with those affected, including looking for alternative roles where possible.”

'Significant challenges'

There is also no reopening date set for Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre, which closed in September last year.

In April, North Lanarkshire Council said an inspection had found the majority of the venue’s roof contains RAAC. There was evidence of water ingress, which can weaken the material and make it more likely to collapse.

The venue was closed until further notice, with all scheduled shows and events “cancelled indefinitely”.

Alternative venues where events are planned include Airdrie Town Hall and Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in 2024, where the area’s annual pantomime will be held as it was last year.

The council said in April that “we anticipate a full structural report for detailed consideration by the relevant technical officers, which will lead to a report to council”.

An online petition to “repair, restore, reopen or rebuild” the venue has received more than 3,400 signatures.

A council spokesperson said: "A report will be considered at a future meeting of the council."

Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, which is part of Brunton Hall, also currently has no reopening date and has issued an "urgent" funding appeal.

East Lothian Council said the scale and condition of RAAC across the building and the need for safe access to roof spaces “have presented significant challenges”.

The council said invasive technical testing had uncovered “further issues” that need addressing and is working with engineering consultants Narro’s to develop a “detailed options appraisal” that will present possible solutions. However, “due to the complexity of the issue, this has taken longer than anticipated”.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “No decision has been taken on the future of the Brunton Hall. This is a complex technical situation that requires detailed testing and an options appraisal remains ongoing. We understand the community’s interest in the Brunton and value placed on it and will share the outcome of this work as soon as we can.”

Other parts of Brunton Hall, such as theatre box office and some council offices, are still operating as normal.

Brunton Theatre Trust, which leases part of Brunton Hall from the council, is still operating a substantial programme of events in alternative venues in Musselburgh and Haddington.

Michael Stitt, chair of Brunton Theatre Trust, said: “Our incredibly resilient team has navigated around the restrictions and unexpected closures at the much-loved Brunton Hall to ensure audiences continue to be entertained and enriched.

 “However, as we operate on a reduced income while our main venue remains closed and East Lothian Council decided to reduce our funding by almost 50% this year, we have unexpectedly had to use a large amount of our carefully managed reserves to keep going.”

In Shropshire, Whitchurch Civic Centre is set to be either repaired or demolished and replaced following a public consultation in which these were the two preferred options.

The move follows a public campaign to save the centre, after a council report in January recommended demolishing it and redeveloping the site.

The building provides a range of services, and includes a dance hall, theatre, library, and reception area. But currently the only part open is the sports and market hall after RAAC was found in the building.

Following a consultation between April to June, a working group is conducting a feasibility study of the two options and will present a business case to the council's cabinet.

Paul Wynn, the Shropshire councillor who chairs the group, said “it was very clear that people’s preference is to either repair or replace the centre”, adding that “we hope to provide a further update in September”.

Earlier this month, more than 100 residents participated in a rally on the one-year anniversary of the theatre's closure, urging councillors to retain the building.

Prolonged process

In Cardiff, the St David’s Hall venue appears likely to reopen in 2026 after previously announcing a summer 2025 date.

At a meeting in July, Cardiff’s cabinet member for culture, sports and parks, said the fact that the building is listed has “significantly prolonged the process” of its repair.

Counciller Jennifer Burke said it was expected that work could take 18 months to complete once all planning permissions are secured.

In October, Cardiff announced that the venue would remain closed until its roof was replaced after it was found that RAAC in the structure presented a high risk.

The venue was in the process of being leased to the Academy Music Group (AMG), which had committed to refurbishing it and dealing with the roof issues as part of the agreement.

Burke said in a statement that the council understands that “AMG has completed its survey and is preparing an application for the works. At this stage, we cannot say for sure how long the works might take.”

Reopening

A number of other theatres that closed due to RAAC concerns expect to reopen in 2025.

Solihull Council said in May that the Core Theatre will reopen in spring 2025. A statement said, “The aim is that by April 2025, the auditorium will be hosting shows, performances and film screenings, followed by a full theatre programme from September 2025”.

Cumberland Council says work to replace RAAC in the auditorium roof of Carlisle’s Sands Centre will start in September, and is expected to be completed by spring next year.

A spokesperson for GLL, which manages the venue, said: "We are excited that the works are now progressing to the construction phase and can’t wait to welcome audiences back to the venue in Spring 2025. We look forward to working with Cumberland Council and Cubby Construction Ltd to establish a reopening date and hosting top class entertainment in Carlisle once again.”

The Orchard Theatre in Dartford is also not expected to reopen until May 2025. A theatre spokesperson said that while "works are progressing at a pace", contractors "need more time to complete the building works required."

The planned reopening of Preston’s Guild Hall venue in 2023 was delayed after Raac was found in the building. In October, a former bar space will reopen as the Guild Hall Lounge, a studio theatre with events running until March 2025.

Preston City Council has not announced plans to reopen the rest of the building, with the council chief executive Adrian Phillips telling a committee meeting last month, “We can’t commit to a timescale because we don’t have the information.”

RAAC was also found at Derby’s Assembly Rooms, which have been closed since a fire in 2014. Derby City Council has set aside £5.3m for demolishing the building to make way for a new “cultural, commercial, and creative public space”.

'A difficult journey'

For some of those venues that have been able to reopen in the past 12 months, there have still been huge costs.

In June, the Forum Theatre in Romiley, Stockport, opened its doors to audiences for the first time since closing in September 2023 after Stockport Council granted £300,000 toward temporary repairs to the theatre's roof, where Raac had been found.

Darren Stannage, of theatre operator NK Theatre Arts, said it had been an "incredibly difficult journey" adding that "so many people pulled together to tackle this problem".

More work on the venue is anticipated, with a predicted cost of around £2m.

Key Theatre in Peterborough was also able to reopen with a temporary roof, which was paid for by the city council, which owns the building and cost around £200,000.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Peterborough City Council had submitted a planning application for a new, permanent replacement, which, if approved, could be installed in the summer of 2025.

Midland Arts Centre temporarily closed its Main Theatre, Painting and Drawing, and Weston Studios last autumn after identifying RAAC in isolated sections of its roof. In consultation with structural engineers, all three spaces were modified to allow them to reopen safely.

Deborah Kermode, MAC Chief Executive and Artistic Director said that these were "temporary measures," adding that the venue was undertaking a fundraising campaign and in conversations with trusts and foundations to raise the necessary funds to replace the roof sections and, as yet, can’t confirm when that will be completed.

The 100-seat Dixon Studio in Southend-on-Sea's Palace Theatre was closed from 7 September to 21 November 2023 after RAAC was discovered in its roof.

Theatre director Nick Parr said that the RAAC is in excellent condition and that landlords Southend-on-Sea City Council responded quickly by enabling the construction of a wooden crash deck under the entire roof, enabling the venue to reopen safely.

The Dixon Studio is set to close again from 21 December 2024 to 30 March 2025 to allow council contractors to replace the venue's roof.

Although most of the affected venues closed their doors last year, Redbridge Council announced last week that it would be closing Kenneth More Theatre and South Woodford Library after a recent RAAC discovery requiring "significant work".

The venue has cancelled upcoming shows, including its annual pantomime, but hopes to stage a Christmas show at Redbridge Drama Centre.

'Uncertain future'

Jon Morgan, the Director of the Theatres Trust, said: “While several theatres where Raac was found have since reopened following safety inspections and any necessary remedial works, we are aware of nine active theatres that remain closed.

“In some cases, the theatres have continued their work in alternative and temporary spaces, which is vital to maintain their audiences and serve their communities, and there is still the intention to reopen once necessary works can be carried out. However, there are others where the future of the building looks uncertain where the costs of repairs may be considered too high.

“Theatres Trust would urge local authorities to consider the long-term value of the theatres to their local areas, and we are in contact with the affected venues to offer support.”