Process Begins to Build a New Theatre for Reading

In a new report published, the first steps have been outlined towards the planning of a new theatre in Reading.

It has been a long-lasting ambition of Reading Borough Council for a new and spacious performing arts venue to be created. Serving not only Reading but also the wider region.

Built in the 1970’s, the Hexagon Theatre now has many limitations due to it’s age and design. Although popular and still attracting large audiences, managing the building has become increasingly more expensive and costs are estimated to increase further over the next years.

It has been suggested by a new Policy Committee report, that the Council begins the planning of a procurement exercise. This will allow the Borough Council to find a development partner helping fund and bring forward a new theatre for Reading.

Rather than the council, the expected new theatre would be financed by the delivery partner, with the Council providing the land on which it would be built.

As of yet there has been no site selected for the new theatre. It has been proposed by The Policy Committee report that sites are investigated in great detail to determine the venue most suitable.

 The Policy Committee report – to be considered on Monday November 2nd - can be found at: www.reading.gov.uk/article/4721/Policy-Committee-02-NOV-2015

Paul Gittings, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Sport, said:

“The Council has a long standing ambition to build a new theatre for Reading which would cement its reputation as an artistic and cultural centre in the region.

“The Hexagon Theatre has served Reading fantastically for nearly 40 years now. Anyone who has attended a show there will have fond memories of it. Longer term however, Reading needs a new theatre. The cost of maintaining the Hexagon is already high and will only increase over time. Whilst of its time, the design of the building also limits it greatly as a performance venue.

“The start of the procurement route is a key landmark in what will be a lengthy process. The severe financial limitations the Council is under means we need to look at creative ways of delivering modern new local facilities and finding a delivery partner to fund a new theatre is one way of doing that. The Council for its part would provide the land for the new theatre to be built.

“No decisions have been made on location at this stage, but the sites option appraisal will look at all available options and the continuity of theatre provision will be key to our thinking.”

Community Interest Company Theatre and Arts Reading (TAR) was established last year with a stated ambition to provide a new theatre for Reading. TAR’s preference is a commercially viable venue with 750-1,200 seats and at least two smaller rehearsal / development spaces as well as box office and café / bar facilities. This would effectively be a replacement for The Hexagon Theatre.

TAR has approached Reading Borough Council about its ambition and whether they could work with the Council in partnership to take their ideas forward. As a matter of principle TAR’s vision is one that is shared by the Council.

The November 2nd Policy Committee report outlines a number of key principles in advance of the formal OJEU process beginning. These include that the Council would contribute land to accommodate the new facility on a long term lease, and would not subsidise the cost of a new theatre over and above contributing a site. Following the market consultation, the Council would also be responsible for providing a minimum specification for the new arts venue, including the scale and range of facilities.