The Theatres Trust has revealed its annual list of the UK venues at risk of closure, demolition or redevelopment – warning that there is “a perfect storm of issues” putting some historic buildings in danger.
A total of 39 theatres up and down the country are on the charity’s official 2026 register, which shines a spotlight on venues in desperate need of support.
Among them are the famous Brighton Hippodrome, built in 1897, the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool and four historic London buildings, including the Grade-II listed Borough Hall in Greenwich.
There are two new additions to the register this year: the Preston Guild Hall and The Forum in Barrow-in-Furness.
The Theatres Trust has highlighted that both were built in the 1970s, “adding evidence of the potential trend for theatres of this type to be increasingly at risk”.
It says: “Whether it is the presence of asbestos or ‘crumbling concrete’ RAAC or just that their systems are coming to the end of their lifespan, these theatres need investment to be suitable for modern audiences and productions.
“The 1970s also saw a trend for building theatres as part of larger civic complexes, which makes repairs even more difficult.
“Add to this, the pressures on local authority finances and there is a perfect storm of issues putting this type of theatre at risk.”
It’s not all bad news though. Two theatres have been removed from the register as “significant progress” has been made towards them being restored and reopened.
The Abbeydale Picture House in Sheffield has reopened its basement space as a lounge and bar, with the rest of the building set to reopen and host live comedy, music and other events, while funding has been secured to restore the Leith Theatre Trust.
See the full list of venues on the 2026 theatres at risk register below:
- 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 – NEW
- Garrick 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
The list comes amid continued nationwide concern for the funding of theatres and the wider cultural sector.
A review of Arts Council England, published last month by the House of Lords, said the arts are facing “a stark capital crisis, the scale of which is threatening the very fabric of the country’s cultural infrastructure”.
In February, the National Theatre’s director Indhu Rubasingham shared concerns over funding cuts, saying: “Investing in the arts when money is sparse requires courage. Courage to act, because we recognise what lies ahead if we do not. Playing safe will be the end of us.”
