Yahoo News Date when RAAC-hit Solihull theatre will reopen revealed
A popular Midlands theatre will reopen in a year's time Solihull Council has said. The Core Theatre has been closed since September 2023 after the presence of crumbling concrete, known as RAAC, was discovered.
Arts lovers were forced to make a 30 minute journey to Bromsgrove ’s Artrix Theatre to see performances - that short term lease coming to an end in March this year. When the council originally announced the shock closure it said there had been "no other option" available to them. Council bosses identified RAAC - the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete - in the roof following a "routine inspection" at the arts venue in Homer Road, Touchwood.
Providing an update on Friday, (May 17), the council announced the aim is, by April 2025, the auditorium will resume hosting shows, performances and film screenings. The full theatre programme will then be up and running from September 2025.
The council had previously said it was aiming for 2025 but made no firm commitments on dates. In the update the authority revealed results from the work completed so far showed the auditorium roof’s “should be able to undergo remediation works”.
Solihull Council said these full programmes of works were being developed and will “commence shortly”. Councillor Wazma Qais, the council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “It is really positive news our auditorium will be back in business next year.
“We now know the work that needs doing and while the theatre is closed, we will take the opportunity to schedule in some other valuable improvement works and equipment upgrades. We have built in some contingency planning into the programme from April which will allow some flexibility.
“By bringing back films, National Theatre Live and one-night performances first, we can have a ‘soft’ opening in the spring. We can then welcome back a full theatre programme from September 2025 and the pantomime in December. We are working closely with theatre user groups - we are working with them regarding their return."
The rest of The Core building including the library, cafe bar, Solihull Connect and Courtyard Gallery has remained open throughout. The RAAC crisis made national headlines in 2023 forcing the closure of more than 100 schools and the closure of public buildings including crown courts
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