Redhill theatre to be brought back into use after Raac discovery
Council leaders have voted to save an iconic theatre which was shut two years ago over unstable concrete.Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's executive has agreed to bring the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill back into use.The theatre has been shut since September 2023 when reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was discovered at the site.Richard Biggs, the council's leader, said: "Deciding how best to deal with the Raac in the theatre has been very complex but now we can really push forward with getting the theatre back open as quickly as possible."
Allocating £4.5m from the authority's reserves to fund the work is set to be finalised at a meeting in July.The council will also look to appoint a specialist company to market and seek expressions of interest for a third-party to run the theatre.Biggs told BBC Radio Surrey the theatre had become "a cultural hub for community via the arts"."We recognise the importance of it and we're doing everything we can as a council to make sure that legacy and the theatre continue," he added.
David Fisher, from the Harlequin Support Group, which was representing users of the venue, said he was "delighted" with the news.He added: "It's critical from our point of view that once the decision is confirmed at the full council next month that we proceed very quickly to the contracting process," he added.
On Thursday, the executive also agreed the next steps for the creation of an additional arts and cultural venue in Redhill, which would be run by a third-party.The leader said the council had already received interest from more than one local organisation to run the site.
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