Theatre Raac concrete repairs of £4.5m approved

The Harlequin Theatre in Redhill closed in September 2023 after Raac was found

Plans to spend £4.5m repairing a closed theatre in Surrey have been approved by councillors.

Harlequin Theatre in Redhill closed in 2023 after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was discovered at the site, which can pose safety risks.

The future of the theatre, cinema and community space had hung in the balance since.

Richard Biggs, leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, said: "Our priority is to get it open, our priority is to actually get the work commenced."

The theatre is expected to be ready to welcome back audiences by 2027.

The funds will allow for the removal of all Raac from within the building and for other essential works that will allow it to reopen at its previous capacity, the council said.

The sum approved for repairs falls significantly short of the £10m the council had been considering, which would have included major upgrades to the building, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council ruled against a quicker fix option that would have kept the Raac in place and required regular safety inspections, opting instead for the longer – but longer lasting – removal.

Plans for a second performing arts and culture building in the town were approved earlier in July.

The council has been advised to appoint a specialist company to market and seek expressions of interest for the Harlequin Theatre to be run by a third-party operator.

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