Uncertainty surrounds Harlequin Theatre reopening
Safety work is yet to start on the building.
A reopening date for the unsafe Harlequin Theatre, closed when dangerous crumbly concrete was found throughout the building, is still to be confirmed.
The earliest hoped-for time would be in 2028 but the leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has said it is entirely dependent on how long the fit-out work will take once the building has been made safe.
The emergency repairs and modernisation at the Redhill arts hub has yet to begin with early estimates saying it would take about six to seven months – but this has now doubled to between 12 and 15 months.
The council hopes to get builders onto the site to start in November – but even this is up in the air, and only once that work has been completed will the building be handed over to the new operators to begin fitting out the site as they see fit.
How long that will take is still to be determined meaning it is still a “couple of months” before the council hopes to have idea of when the site might finally reopen.
Councillor Richard Biggs told the September executive committee: “It will be remiss of us at the moment for us to actually state an opening time when we do not have the final details of how long the new operator will want from handover to operating and getting shows on."
“I would hate to promise an opening date that groups had booked because I know they have to book them in advance."
“I’m confident that we can get to an indicative date in the next couple of months, and I will share it then as soon as I can physically do that."
“We do know the contract for the rebuild will take 12 to 15 months and obviously if we can do anything to make sure we hit the 12 we will and that would bring things forwards."
“I don’t really want to promise a date that we can’t confirm until we have a better idea on the length of time it will take the operator to set up what they need to set up.”
Work had been expected to start in June but has now been pencilled in for November.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council closed the Harlequin Theatre in September 2023 after it was deemed the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which can collapse without warning, was unsafe.
The material was widely used between the 1950s and 1990s as a cheaper alternative to concrete but only lasts about 30 years.
Cllr Biggs added: “I know that work is moving forward, fast and furious to get people in site in November and it will be good to see some things happen, and I’m confident that is where we are going to be by the end of November."
“As soon as the operator tells us how long they need to fit out and what they need to do, which is part of the negotiations at the moment, as soon as we know the answers to that I will be sharing them."
“As far as opening day and making promises to the groups I do not want to do that until I can do that with some confidence.”