Theatre cancels shows amid ‘viability’ concerns

Guildford’s Electric Theatre has cancelled its events while the institution that operates it considers its long-term future, it has been announced.

The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM), which took over the lease for the venue from Guildford Borough Council in 2017, said it has lost money every year since then, including a loss in excess of £250,000 in its most recent accounts (2023/24).

“Due to the current financial climate and pressure that the education sector is experiencing, it has been necessary for ACM to cancel or move some public events from April 2025 at the Electric Theatre while we assess the viability and safety of the operation,” a statement issued by ACM, which has campuses in London, Guildford and Birmingham said.

“Any customers affected will receive a full refund for any cancelled events. We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to local groups and artists, but ACM is unable to continue to subsidise this venue which has run at a loss since ACM took over the lease from Guildford Borough Council in 2017.

“We will work with our partners at the council to see if this vital community asset can be transferred and we are keen to work with interested parties. In the meantime, we will continue to support planned events up until the end of March and our ACM student activity will continue at the theatre.”