Stage set for three month closure of Camberley Theatre to fix crumbling concrete
Camberley Theatre could close for three months for urgent crumbly concrete (RAAC)) repairs in an effort to protect its long-term future.
Surrey Heath Borough Council has said the cost to remedy the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) could run up to £640,000 – when lost income and staffing overheads are taken into account.
RAAC is a highly aerated concrete that has been used in a range of public sector properties including schools, hospitals and police stations.
It is weaker than conventional concrete and susceptible to structural failure, particularly when exposed to moisture.
Last year the council carried out inspections on 171 buildings “due to media attention around the presence of RAAC in schools and the risk associated with its failure”. It found issues in Camberley theatre.
These were not considered an immediate risk and further surveys were ordered to determine the full scale of the problem. As part of that, the theatre is recommended to close for an initial three weeks to remove suspended ceilings. Once done remedial work can get underway.
According to council papers, “it is envisaged that remedial work will take approximately three months to complete, preceded by design and procurement work which is estimated to take three to four months from approval.
“The theatre is expected to be closed for the whole three-month duration as a minimum.”
Chief Executive of Surrey Heath Borough Council Damian Roberts said: “We appreciate the importance of Camberley Theatre as an arts and cultural hub in our borough, and the financial contribution it makes to the town centre and our local economy.
“While specialists confirmed last year that the RAAC present in the theatre did not present an immediate risk, it is important that in the longer term, it is dealt with to keep the theatre open, so it continues to play its key role in the cultural life of residents and visitors to the venue.”
The council sees the theatre as a key cog in boosting the wider economy in the area. Papers released ahead of the April 16 cabinet meeting, which recommend the remedial work be approved, said the theatre wasn’t just an entertainment venue but an economic engine.
The report quotes national studies that suggest every pound spent in the theatre results in £1.60 expenditure in the locality – which if applied to Camberley is worth £1.62m to the town centre.
The theatre is also a “significant job creator…providing employment not only for SHBC staff, artists and performers but also for an array of professionals.”, council papers said.
There is also the theatre’s core team of eight permanent staff working a mix of full and part-time roles and a pool of 31 casual employees.
“The current estimate for rectification is £407,000 which is
considered as the worst-case scenario based on all areas of RAAC requiring
extensive remediation”, council papers read, adding “each month the theatre is closed will cost approximately £88,000 in lost income and staffing overheads.”
Remedial works are scheduled to begin this summer. Ian Goodchild Centre, which is next to the theatre, will remain open.
All existing bookings and performances that will be impacted by the proposed closures will be rescheduled for when the theatre is expected to reopen.