Major update as eye-watering cost to reopen Surrey theatre riddled with crumbling concrete revealed

The eye-watering cost to bring a Surrey theatre riddled with crumbling concrete back into use has been revealed. In a major update it's been announced it would cost about £10million to reopen Redhill's Harlequin Theatre.

The popular theatre closed suddenly last year when the dangerous aerated concrete (RAAC), which can crumble and collapse with little to no warning, was found inside the building. Arts and theatre productions were cancelled with many still scrambling to find new venues.

Reigate and Banstead Council later carried out an investigation to determined the scale of the problem and found issues throughout with “almost every panel in the flat roof, pitched roof and areas of the internal floor” at critical risk. Leader of the council, Councillor Richard Biggs said: “This means that without significant remediation or removal of the RAAC panelling, the Harlequin must remain closed.”

The scale of the problem has meant that even parts of the theatre unaffected, will need to be replaced as, the council said, the dangerous concrete cannot be fixed in isolation - forcing up the costs of getting the theatre back open. Now, it has been revealed the cost of fixing the site will be about £10m.

Cllr Biggs said: “The purpose of the intrusive survey report was to identify the level of risk associated with the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) panels and potential remedial works required. Unfortunately, the report has shown that almost every panel in the flat roof, pitched roof and areas of the internal floor have been classified as ‘red’, which is a critical risk.

"It is important to point out that removal or rectification of RAAC will undoubtedly impact other elements of the building, such as the heating and ventilation systems equipment and décor - meaning that we cannot consider the costs of the RAAC in isolation. I can now tell you that indicative costs are estimated to be in the region of £10million to remove and remediate the RAAC and refurbish the theatre to bring it back into use.

"We are waiting on further analysis and itemised costs, but I wanted to share this headline figure with you. We are continuing to be in dialogue with the head leaseholder to work through the implications of the RAAC survey findings and respective responsibilities. We need to use public money appropriately.”

The council has said it will continue to look at makeshift options for art and culture provision in the borough and is weighing up alternate sites, including potentially schools, that could be used as venues. The council’s executive committee is due to meet in January 2025 where “all factors will be considered and next steps agreed” as they discuss both the theatre building’s future and interim venues.

Cllr Biggs added: “I want to again reiterate our commitment to arts and culture in the borough. I understand frustrations with timelines – and we share your disappointment with not being able to access the theatre. We want to get back to being able to put on live performances and to providing a suitable space for all the fantastic arts and music groups all over the borough.”