Theatre could close for up to a year due to Raac

The Orchard Theatre in Dartford, Kent, closed in September

A theatre which shut due to fears over reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in its roof could remain closed for up to a year, council documents have revealed.

Performances at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford, Kent, were initially suspended for a month following an inspection in September.

It was then later announced that its closure would be extended to at least 31 October.

Now documents ahead of a Dartford Borough Council meeting on Monday have disclosed the theatre "could be closed for approximately 12 months".

The report stated the closure could impact the revenue for the council and Trafalgar Theatres, which runs the venue on behalf of the authority.

It states: "It is estimated that the theatre could be closed for approximately 12 months with a potential for a significant loss in revenue/financial risk for both Trafalgar Theatres and the council as well as causing an economic impact on the town centre and the public loss of service."

It added that "urgent and extensive works" would be needed before the theatre could be operational again and that its roof structure was "fragile and subject to sudden collapse".

"It will not be possible to open the theatre until the Raac panels have been replaced and will be considered a dangerous structure until that time," the report stated.

In a statement on its website, the council said it was "determined" to minimise disruption to the theatre, its staff and local businesses.

It added it was "working hard" on alternative arrangements to explore whether performances could take place elsewhere, and an announcement would be made "within a very short time".

"At the heart of all this is our absolute commitment to providing entertainment in the borough and also carrying out the repairs to the theatre that will see it serving Dartford for many decades to come," the statement added.

Between 2022-23, more than 215,000 people attended the theatre with over 60% of those tickets sold to Dartford residents, the report said.