In its 50th anniversary year, Theatres Trust is marking the 20th year of the Theatres at Risk Register by highlighting both encouraging progress and continuing challenges for theatres across the UK.

The 2026 Theatres at Risk Register comprises of 39 theatres across the UK under threat of closure, redevelopment or severe decay, which all have the potential to be revived for their local communities with the right support.

Two theatres, Abbeydale Picture House and Leith Theatre, are being removed from this year’s Register as significant progress has been made towards their respective restoration and reopening. These two theatres are no longer deemed ‘at risk’ by the national advisory body for theatres. Abbeydale Picture House reopened its basement space as a lounge and bar with plans for the rest of the building to be reopened soon as a vibrant entertainment venue, hosting live music, comedy and other events. With Theatres Trust’s support Leith Theatre Trust has secured significant funding towards restoring the building and has appointed a design team to start the major capital project. Theatres Trust has provided expert, impartial advice to both theatres at every step of their respective journeys and will continue to support them as they progress through their business development and work towards being able to fully reopen.

There are two new additions to the Theatres at Risk Register. Preston Guild Hall is the only professional theatre in the city and has been closed since 2019, initially due to legal disputes and more recently as due to the discovery of ‘crumbling concrete’ RAAC in the roof of the Great Hall and Chapter Theatre. The Forum in Barrow-in-Furness closed due to asbestos both in the theatre and the connected building, which has led to proposals of demolition. With no plans for a replacement, this would leave Barrow without a theatre. Both Preston Guild Hall and The Forum are local authority-owned theatres built in the 1970s.

Abbeydale Picture House exterior Photo: Andy Gallacher

We are delighted to say that Abbeydale Picture House and Leith Theatre are no longer considered at risk. Their inclusion on the Theatres at Risk Register achieved its purpose, raising awareness to build local support and help unlock funding for these special theatres. Removing them from the Register is not the end of the journey and there is still work to be done to ensure their long-term resilience. Theatres Trust will be there to support both organisations with the operational challenges they may face as they move towards fully reopening.

While it is fantastic to celebrate these successes in our 50th anniversary year, we must temper that with the reality that we are also adding two more theatres to the Register. That means two more communities losing access to the joy and opportunities that theatre brings. Sadly, these buildings are just the tip of the iceberg, and we are beginning to identify a potential trend for theatres built in the 1970s now facing a higher likelihood of challenges that could lead to long-term or even permanent closure. Without sustained long-term support for theatres at the local, regional, and national level, we could see many more theatres from the 70s added to our Theatres at Risk Register. This is a future we want to confidently avoid, and so Theatres Trust urges theatre owners, operators and local authorities to reach out to us before concerns become crises.

First launched in 2006, the Theatres at Risk Register shines a spotlight on theatres under threat and helps galvanise support for securing their future. Over two decades, this campaign has played a vital role in raising awareness, building partnerships, and supporting the revival of important cultural assets in communities across the country.

In the intervening two decades, more than 80 theatres have been restored and revived, or suitable replacements have been built. Notable success stories include Bradford Live, Stockton Globe, Walthamstow Granada and Wilton’s Music Hall.

Theatres Trust advocates for the whole of the UK’s theatre sector and provides a range of services targeted to help theatre owners and operators to make the most of their buildings and prevent them from becoming ‘at risk’.


Lancashire
Blackpool Winter Gardens Pavilion — Blackpool, Lancashire
Burnley Empire — Burnley, Lancashire
Joe Longthorne Pavilion — Blackpool, Lancashire
Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre & Theatre — Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire
Preston Guild Hall — Preston, Lancashire
Winter Gardens Morecambe — Morecambe, Lancashire

Greater Manchester
Co-op Hall — Ramsbottom, Greater Manchester
Hulme Hippodrome — Manchester, Greater Manchester
Tameside Theatre — Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester
Theatre Royal, Manchester — Manchester, Greater Manchester
Victoria Theatre — Salford, Greater Manchester


Merseyside
Epstein Theatre — Liverpool, Merseyside
Garrick Theatre — Southport, Merseyside
Garston Empire — Liverpool, Merseyside

Doncaster Grand, courtesy of Theatres Trust

South Yorkshire
Abbeydale Picture House — Sheffield, South Yorkshire (REMOVED FROM REGISTER THIS YEAR)
Doncaster Grand — Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Cumbria
The Forum — Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria