On June 19th Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s Executive Council met and agreed to support a substantial set of measures that will go a long way towards securing the future of the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill.
At the meeting today, the Executive formally approved steps which address the need for immediate safety works, short-term cost-saving measures, and a longer-term commitment to retain and redevelop the Harlequin as a much cherished venue in the heart of Redhill.
This follows months of public concern after the main theatre auditorium was closed due to safety issues, and growing fears that the venue could be permanently mothballed. Rebecca has consistently backed residents campaigning to keep the Harlequin open, and wrote about its importance earlier this year.
Getting to this point is the outcome which so many have been hoping for - and the message which residents sent has been heard loud and clear - that the Harlequin is too important to lose, not just for Redhill, but for the whole borough and beyond. The Executive's decision to commit to getting the theatre back open is a huge step forward.
You can read the full proposals HERE, but in brief, the Executive agreed to:
- Reopen the theatre at full capacity by removing RAAC concrete and carrying out essential safety works.
- Explore third-party operation of the venue, inviting expressions of interest for either a management contract or lease arrangement, with a £40,000 marketing budget allocated.
- Allocate up to £4.5 million from council reserves to fund all design and construction works required to bring the theatre safely back into use.
- Appoint a specialist design team to prepare and manage the delivery of the agreed work.
It will now be for the Full Council, which next meets in July, to approve the Executive's allocation of £4.5m to this important work. Rebecca is delighted that we have come this far and welcomes that a vital community asset - which is so much more to residents than just a building - looks to be saved. She will be following the next steps closely and looks forward to reporting back again soon.
