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Theatre closed over RAAC could take five years to reopen

Arts Professional
1 min read

Harlequin Theatre in Redhill, Surrey, could take up to five years to reopen as work to address the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the building continues.

The theatre has been closed since September 2023 following the RAAC discovery which impacted theatres across the country after the Health and Safety Executive advised the material, which was used in the construction of many public buildings built between the 1950s and 1970s, had life-expired.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, which owns the theatre, is undertaking safety refurbishment work expected to total £10m.

“The critical red nature of the RAAC panels means that this is going to take some time to resolve,” council leader Richard Biggs told the BBC.

“Optimistically two to three years, possibly up to five years to get it back.”

The BBC has reported the council is looking for alternate spaces to host the theatre but is yet to locate an appropriate 500-seat venue and may be forced to temporarily place it in a venue less than half its size.

Last October, Arts Professional collated a list of the theatres still closed over RAAC concerns.