Concern over opening date for Raac closure theatre

The Green Party in East Surrey say they are worried that a plan to reopen a theatre which was closed due to unstable concrete "has been kicked into the long grass".

The Harlequin Theatre and Cinema in Redhill closed in 2023 after the building was discovered to have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

Jonathan Essex, Redhill East councillor and leader of the Greens, said Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (RBBC) had failed to commit to a reopening date, at a meeting to agree the annual budget.

RBBC said reopening the theatre was "one of its highest priorities" and that "substantial progress" had been made.

Plans to spend £4.5m on repairs to the Harlequin were approved by councillors last year.

The aim is for building work to begin in June, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Essex said: "There was no clear commitment to reopen for the Christmas panto season as promised last year, let alone any commitment to the expenditure needed on equipment and improvements.

"There wasn't a no and there wasn't a yes.

"This ambiguity feels like the whole scheme has been kicked into the long grass again, with yet more prolonged excuses, and another failure to set a plan with sufficient resources to turn promises into reality."

Members of the Harlequin Support Group, who have been campaigning for the venue to be repaired and reopened, told BBC Radio Surrey they were "content that the project will be completed successfully, albeit at a slower pace than we would like".

An RBBC spokesperson said it was working with a design team "to progress detailed design work for the removal of RAAC, the replacement roof structure and associated essential works" and in the process of appointing a contractor.

The spokesperson added: "While we appreciate the frustration around timescales, given the complexity of the building, the seriousness of the RAAC issue and the need to protect public funds, it is not possible to confirm fixed construction dates until both an operator and contractor are appointed, as contractor programmes and operator requirements will directly influence the overall timeline.

"Our priority is ensuring the work is completed safely, lawfully and in a way that secures the long-term future of the theatre, including continued access for local community groups."

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