The Broadway Theatre has been closed for two years but now the council is working with an external operator to relaunch the venue next year
Barking and Dagenham Council has announced a new preferred operator to run The Broadway Theatre.
Marking what it calls a “major step forward in strengthening the borough’s growing cultural and heritage offer”, Artsdepot has been named as the proposed new arts company to run the Barking venue.
It follows a call for proposals in January, when the council invited experienced arts organisations to put forward plans to operate The Broadway and deliver a “dynamic programme of theatre, film, comedy and music that reflects the borough’s diverse community”.
Proposals were required to demonstrate a “strong commitment to engaging families and young people while building a vibrant cultural offer for residents”.
The Broadway has been closed since January 2024, when a dangerous type of “crumbling” concrete was discovered inside the theatre.
Artsdepot is best known for its eponymous venue in Finchley, North London.
Explaining why Artsdepot was now the leading contender to run and relaunch The Broadway, Saima Ashraf, the council’s cabinet member for community leadership and engagement, said: “Barking town centre has all the ingredients to become a thriving culture and heritage quarter. Bringing The Broadway Theatre back into regular use with Artsdepot as the preferred operator is an exciting step forward.
“Their strong track record in delivering high-quality theatre, comedy and music programmes, alongside a clear commitment to engaging families and young people, makes them a great fit for our borough.”
The council says that The Broadway is now expected to be brought back into active use in 2027 with a partial programme, and from 2028 with a full reopening.
Cllr Ashraf added: “Together with the creative activity already taking place across Barking, from the Icehouse Quarter to the Galleons Art Centre, this will help strengthen our cultural offer for residents and support our ambition to establish Barking and Dagenham as a cultural destination.”
Monique Deletant, chief executive and creative director at Artsdepot, said: “Artsdepot firmly believes in working with local artists, communities and organisations to ensure that the offer will be brilliant for Barking and Dagenham residents.
“We are so excited to be part of the cultural quarter and we look forward to shaping the programme in response to local residences. Being an arts centre that celebrates local, national and international talent we hope this is the start of a journey that provides opportunity and inspiration for the next generation.”
