The Barking theatre has been closed since 2024 after dangerous concrete was discovered, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter
A long-closed theatre in Barking town centre could fully reopen within three years after a decision by council leaders this week.
The Broadway Theatre has been closed since 2024 because dangerous, crumbly concrete was discovered in the building.
Barking and Dagenham Council says the concrete is set to be removed by November, and leading councillors have now approved a new operator.
Plans say that, when fully up and running, the venue will host “music, comedy, circus, dance, family work and theatre” with a “performance programme that speaks to the youngest population in the borough”.
Leading Labour councillors voted unanimously to appoint the Artsdepot Trust to run the theatre at a cabinet committee meeting on Tuesday (16th).
The trust, which already runs an arts centre in East Finchley, Barnet, will bring a “performance programme that speaks to the youngest population in the borough” to the Broadway Theatre, according to cabinet papers.
It will also let out space to schools, colleges and creative groups in the borough.
Labour councillor Simon Perry, responsible for culture, told the meeting that Artsdepot was “by a clear margin the strongest and most suitable operator to secure the Broadway’s future” for the long term.
Cabinet papers say Artsdepot’s plan to bring the Broadway Theatre back into full use will take three years, in a “staged approach”, with adaptions to the stage and seating area in the first year.
Artsdepot will open with a “partial programme” in the second year and be fully open by the third.
The papers say Artsdepot “anticipate having 55% professional performances per year and the offer to include live family shows, comedy and music”.
The papers also say that in the long term Artsdepot “would like to build theatre-producing into their programme so that original shows can be created that are home grown”.
Labour cabinet councillor Maureen Worby said the reopening would be “pivotal” to making Barking town centre “alive again in the evening”.
She said: “I look forward to going to see many productions there, and maybe not so many of the old cover bands.
“If you want to see a cover band anywhere in Essex, you used to be able to see them at the Broadway Theatre regularly. Let’s hope its some new talent and not breaking out all the golden oldies that I used to remember.”
The council-owned theatre, previously known as Barking Assembly Hall, first opened in 1961.
It has hosted artists such as Neil Young, as well as performance and production courses for Barking and Dagenham Council.
Labour cabinet member Jane Jones said she had performed there “age four as a bunny rabbit when I did ballet classes”.
The venue was forced to close in January 2024 after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was discovered in the building.
RAAC was used extensively in construction throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, but is weaker and deteriorates more quickly than standard concrete.
The council will pay for the proposed improvement works from its capital budget, which is separate from its day-to-day spending budget and is used for assets and infrastructure.
Papers say funding could come from financial contributions towards infrastructure that developers pay to the council as part of planning permission agreements.
The council will also seek grant funding from the Arts Council, the Greater London Authority and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The lease to Artsdepot will last 30 years, and be on a peppercorn rent, which Cllr Rush said is “standard practice for organisations delivering public benefit”.
