Theatres Trust Marks 50th Anniversary with 20th Theatres at Risk Register

In its 50thanniversary year, Theatres Trust is marking the 20thyear of the Theatres at Risk  Register by highlighting both encouraging progress and continuing challenges for theatres  across the UK.  

The 2026 Theatres at Risk Register comprises of 39 theatres across the UK under threat of  closure, redevelopment or severe decay, which all have the potential to be revived for their  local communities with the right support. 

Two theatres, Abbeydale Picture House and Leith Theatre, are being removed from this year’s  Register as significant progress has been made towards their respective restoration and  reopening. These two theatres are no longer deemed ‘at risk’ by the national advisory body for  theatres. Abbeydale Picture House reopened its basement space as a lounge and bar with plans  for the rest of the building to be reopened soon as a vibrant entertainment venue, hosting live  music, comedy and other events. With Theatres Trust’s support Leith Theatre Trust has secured  significant funding towards restoring the building and has appointed a design team to start the  major capital project. Theatres Trust has provided expert, impartial advice to both theatres at  every step of their respective journeys and will continue to support them as they progress  through their business development and work towards being able to fully reopen. 

There are two new additions to the Theatres at Risk Register. Preston Guild Hall is the only  professional theatre in the city and has been closed since 2019, initially due to legal disputes  and more recently as due to the discovery of ‘crumbling concrete’ RAAC in the roof of the Great  Hall and Chapter Theatre. The Forum in Barrow-in-Furness closed due to asbestos both in the  theatre and the connected building, which has led to proposals of demolition. With no plans for a replacement, this would leave Barrow without a theatre. Both Preston Guild Hall and The  Forum are local authority-owned theatres built in the 1970s. 

Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust says,We are delighted to say that Abbeydale Picture  House and Leith Theatre are no longer considered at risk. Their inclusion on the Theatres at Risk  Register achieved its purpose, raising awareness to build local support and help unlock fundingfor these special theatres. Removing them from the Register is not the end of the journey and  there is still work to be done to ensure their long-term resilience. Theatres Trust will be there to  support both organisations with the operational challenges they may face as they move towards  fully reopening. 

While it is fantastic to celebrate these successes in our 50th anniversary year, we must temper  that with the reality that we are also adding two more theatres to the Register. That means two  more communities losing access to the joy and opportunities that theatre brings. Sadly, these  buildings are just the tip of the iceberg, and we are beginning to identify a potential trend for  theatres built in the 1970s now facing a higher likelihood of challenges that could lead to long term or even permanent closure. Without sustained long-term support for theatres at the local,  regional, and national level, we could see many more theatres from the 70s added to our  Theatres at Risk Register. This is a future we want to confidently avoid, and so Theatres Trust  urges theatre owners, operators and local authorities to reach out to us before concerns become  crises. 

First launched in 2006, the Theatres at Risk Register shines a spotlight on theatres under threat  and helps galvanise support for securing their future. Over two decades, this campaign has  played a vital role in raising awareness, building partnerships, and supporting the revival of  important cultural assets in communities across the country.  

In the intervening two decades, more than 80 theatres have been restored and revived, or  suitable replacements have been built. Notable success stories include Bradford Live, Stockton  Globe, Walthamstow Granada and Wilton’s Music Hall. 

Theatres Trust advocates for the whole of the UK’s theatre sector and provides a range of  services targeted to help theatre owners and operators to make the most of their buildings and  prevent them from becoming ‘at risk’.  

Full case studies and assessment criteria can be seen on the Theatres Trust website.

The theatres featuring on the 2026 list are:Amulet Theatre, Shepton Mallet 

Borough Hall, Greenwich 

Brighton Hippodrome 

Brunton Theatre 

Burnley Empire 

Clair Hall, Haywards Heath 

Co-op Hall, Ramsbottom 

Conwy Civic Hall (Cube) 

Derby Hippodrome 

Doncaster Grand 

Epstein Theatre 

The Forum, Barrow-in-Furness –NEWGarrick Theatre, Southport 

Garston Empire 

Harlequin Theatre 

Hulme Hippodrome 

Imperial Theatre, Walsall 

Intimate Theatre 

Joe Longthorne Pavilion, Blackpool King’s Theatre Dundee 

Mechanics Institute, Swindon 

Motherwell Concert Hall &Theatre Netherton Arts Centre 

Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre & Theatre  Plymouth Palace 

Preston Guild Hall –NEW 

Prince of Wales, Cannock Chase  

Regent Theatre, Great Yarmouth 

Roundhouse Theatre, Dover 

Spilsby Sessions House 

Streatham Hill Theatre 

Tameside Theatre, Ashton-under-Lyne Thameside Theatre, Grays 

Theatr Ardudwy, Harlech 

Theatre Royal Margate 

Theatre Royal, Manchester 

Tottenham Palace Theatre 

Victoria Theatre, Salford 

Winter Gardens Morecambe

Main Image: Leith Theatre - courtesy of Theatres Trust

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