image for illustration: The Theatres Trust
The Theatres Trust has published its annual register of theatres under threat of permanent closure, redevelopment, or demolition across the UK, with five council-owned theatres added to the list, as pressures on local authority budgets hit home.
Theatres Trust writes:
Theatres Trust, the charity that campaigns to protect the UK’s theatres, has published its annual Theatres at Risk Register, which highlights theatres across the UK under threat of closure, redevelopment or severe decay, but which all have the potential to be revived for their local communities with the right support. This year’s list comprises 43 buildings, which all have strong architectural merit, cultural heritage or value to the local community as a performance venue.
Theatres Trust has added five more theatres to the list, all local authority owned, mid to small scale venues located outside of major cities. Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre and Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock are both at risk due to pressures on local authority budgets, leading to councils seeking savings by closing their theatres, cuts in subsidy and/or a lack of ability to pay for crucial maintenance and repair work.
The other three new additions, The Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh, The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema in Redhill and Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre are all theatres that have been closed for more than a year due to the presence of the crumbling concrete Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). The Brunton Theatre and Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre have been recommended for demolition due to the high costs of repairs, and a decision on the future of The Harlequin is imminent.
Theatres Trust Director Joshua McTaggart comments, ‘We understand that local authorities are faced with making tough decisions, but the savings made in the short term will leave communities without vital facilities. Buildings were RAAC is present are particularly tricky, but it is important that communities are not left without theatre provision. Theatres Trust wants to work with local authorities and theatre operators to explore all possible options and find solutions to put theatres like this on a firmer footing.’
Now in its 19th year, the Theatres at Risk Register calls the public’s attention to these important buildings, their challenges, and the significant cultural opportunities they can bring to local communities. Since the list began in 2006, more than 80 theatres have been restored, revived or had a suitable replacement built. Theatre Royal Hyde has been removed from the 2025 Theatres at Risk Register, as although it has not returned to theatrical use, it is being maintained and used by its current owners so the threat of harm to the building has been greatly reduced.
There has been steady progress with other theatres on the list in particular at Morecambe Winter Gardens where the capital project has advanced enough for its ‘risk rating’ to be lowered. There have also been positive signs at other theatres that Theatres Trust is giving increased support to through its Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities programme of grants, training and expert advice, including Burnley Empire and Leith Theatre…
… The theatres featuring on the 2025 list are:
- Abbeydale Picture House
- Amulet Theatre, Shepton Mallet
- Borough Hall, Greenwich
- Brighton Hippodrome
- The Brunton Theatre – NEW
- Burnley Empire
- Clair Hall, Haywards Heath
- Co-op Hall, Ramsbottom
- Conwy Civic Hall (Cube)
- Derby Hippodrome
- Doncaster Grand
- Epstein Theatre
- Garrick Theatre, Southport
- Garston Empire
- Globe Theatre, Plymouth
- Groundlings Theatre, Portsea
- The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema – NEW
- Hulme Hippodrome
- Imperial Theatre, Walsall
- Intimate Theatre
- Joe Longthorne Pavilion, Blackpool
- King’s Theatre Dundee
- King’s Theatre, Kirkcaldy
- Leith Theatre
- Mechanics Institute, Swindon
- Motherwell Concert Hall &Theatre – NEW Netherton Arts Centre
- Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre & Theatre – NEW Plymouth Palace
- Prince of Wales, Cannock Chase – NEW
- Regent Theatre, Great Yarmouth
- Roundhouse Theatre, Dover
- Spilsby Sessions House
- Streatham Hill Theatre
- Tameside Theatre, Ashton-under-Lyne Thameside Theatre, Grays
- Theatr Ardudwy, Harlech
- Theatre Royal Margate
- Theatre Royal, Manchester
- Tottenham Palace Theatre
- Victoria Theatre, Salford
- Winter Gardens Morecambe
- Winter Gardens, Blackpool Pavilion
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