Theatres Trust announces Theatres at Risk
Register 2025
Five council-owned theatres added to the list as pressures on
local authority budgets hit home
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 in Musselburgh, The Harlequin 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 Bruton 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.
Assessment criteria for each theatre is available via www.theatrestrust.org.uk/howwehelp/theatres-at-risk/theatres-at-risk-assessmentcriteria and full case studies on each can be seen on the Theatres Trust website.
The theatres featuring on the 2025 list are:
Abbeydale Picture House
Amulet Theatre, Shepton Mallet
Borough Hall, Greenwich
Brighton Hippodrome
Brunton Theatre – NEW
Burnley Empire
Clair Hall, Haywards Heath
Co-op Hall, Ramsbottom
Conwy Civic Hall (Cube)
Derby Hippodrome
Doncaster Grand
Epstein TheatreGarrick Theatre, Southport
Garston Empire
Globe Theatre, Plymouth
Groundlings Theatre, Portsea
Harlequin Theatre – 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