Harlequin Theatre may take ‘as much as 5 years’ to reopen

A Surrey theatre with “crucial threat” concrete in its construction may take as much as 5 years to reopen, a council says.

Redhill’s Harlequin Theatre has been closed since September 2023, when bolstered autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found within the constructing.

It can doubtlessly stay closed till 2030 whereas Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (RBBC), which owns the theatre, carries out the £10m security refurbishment work, mentioned the Native Democracy Reporting Service.

Council chief Richard Biggs mentioned: “I perceive the sturdy feeling and curiosity in resolving this case on the Harlequin.”

He mentioned: “The crucial pink nature of the Raac panels signifies that that is going to take a while to resolve.

“Optimistically two to 3 years, presumably as much as 5 years to get it again.”

The closure of the Harlequin Theatre compelled the council to have a look at offering alternate venues however early searches to discover a 500-seat venue have to date proved fruitless.

The council has nonetheless not dominated out the opportunity of discovering a bigger venue however says it’s extra possible that the humanities neighborhood must accept one thing lower than half that dimension.

Mr Biggs added: “If we have to spend the cash I need to spend it straight on getting the Harlequin again up and working.”

RBCC says it’s on the lookout for a variety of web sites to fulfil the theatre constructing’s roles, together with a restaurant, audition areas and efficiency venues.