Beck Theatre risks closure over subsidy row

A theatre in west London is preparing to close down at the end of the year in a dispute over its funding.

Beck Theatre in Hayes has an agreement with the owners Hillingdon Borough Council but this is due to expire later this year, beyond which the plan is up in the air.

The theatre currently pays no rent on the use of the building as the council subsidises the cost.

The council has said it is "seeking new operating arrangements" so it is no longer subsidising a "privately owned commercial entity".

The agreement between the theatre and Hillingdon Council was most recently extended in July 2024 until December 2024, with the potential for a further extension of up to three years.

Trafalgar Theatres, which owns Beck Theatre, claims the council has not responded in time, leaving them uncertain over its future.

The council contradicts this, claiming that after it had taken the decision to stop subsidising the venue, Trafalgar Theatres said it would no longer operate Beck Theatre.

Trafalgar Theatres appears to be still taking bookings for shows up to 1 June.

Steve Sargeant, theatre director, said: "We are deeply disappointed that this deadline has now passed without agreement. We must now start making exit plans to be activated once our agreement ends in January 2025.

"[The council has] so far been unable to provide us with any clarity around any proposed alternative operation of The Beck, and our concern, therefore, is that The Beck may close its doors."

The threat of closure drew criticism from former Shadow Chancellor and Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, John McDonnell, who described the threat of closure as "an act of cultural vandalism in a culturally diverse, working-class community".

However, the council believes that Trafalgar Theatres is in a healthy financial position and therefore should foot the bill for the venue’s operations.

The council said Trafalgar UK Theatres Limited is owned by Trafalgar Entertainment Group which it says a multi-million-pound profit making organisation.

The council said: "Quite naturally, as part of new terms, the council has been seeking new operating arrangements as we should not be subsidising a privately owned commercial entity with council taxpayers' money."

They said they received a notification from the theatre management on Thursday afternoon to express their desire to "pull out of the Beck Theatre management with effect from 13 January 2025".

"The same letter asked that both parties agree not to publicise Trafalgar’s decision regarding ceasing activity at the Beck Theatre until after 25 September and we are bitterly disappointed with their decision to make this public in this way," the spokesperson added.

It added that it was seeking an "urgent discussion" with the theatre management to address the issues and continue negotiations.

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