Theatre

Urgent need for sustainable investment in theatre buildings – SOLT & UK Theatre

Featured Image: Monica Silvestre

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre today (Monday) revealed an urgent need for sustainable investment in theatre buildings across the country.

Key findings from a newly published survey of 65 theatre venues in the UK found that 1 in 5 venues require at least £5m (€5.9m/$6.3m) each in the next decade to continue current operations. Additionally, SOLT & UK Theatre say that without significant capital investment over the next five years, nearly 40% of venues risk closure and 40% will become unsafe to use. 

Should theatres be granted the investment they so desperately need, the trade association says 54% could provide more jobs for their local communities and 62% would increase or improve their outreach work. Elsewhere, some 100% of venues would improve their environment sustainability and 57% would increase the variety of programming. Some 100% of buildings built during the Victorian period would be able to increase accessibility for patrons. 

“Investment in theatre buildings is crucial for the future of the industry. These results show just how many theatres are in critical and urgent need of funding support to ensure that they’re fit for the audiences and productions of today and the future,” commented Jon Gilchrist, joint president of UK Theatre. 

“Theatres are a source of economic and social good at the heart of local communities. The next government needs to support investment in cultural infrastructure across the country to enable creative excellence and innovation, and to ensure the UK has a range of venues that can provide access to world-class theatre.”

It is not just the survival of the theatres themselves that would benefit, as SOLT & UK Theatre report that for every £1 spent on a theatre ticket, £1.40 is spent within the local area. 

This has been demonstrated by recent investment in Hall for Cornwall, located in Truro since 1847. Following a £26m investment from nine major funders in 2018, the theatre avoided closure and supported 29% more jobs for the local community; engaged more than 11,000 young people through their outreach programme; and hit 300,000 visits a year – a 54% increase on pre-investment audience numbers. 

While SOLT & UK Theatre welcomed the recent investment of £26.4m in upgrading the National Theatre’s stages and infrastructure, and the £1.6m for Theatr Clwyd in the Spring Budget, the trade associations are further calling on the next government to ensure a systemic and strategic approach to investment in theatre buildings in the UK.