Temporary closure for Rep’s auditorium amid ‘RAAC risk’

Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s main stage is set to temporarily close next year as a project to remove RAAC gets under way.

The city centre theatre will be carrying out works in 2027 to remove RAAC planks above the main auditorium and stage, which were installed more than 50 years ago.

RAAC is the lightweight concrete which was used in the construction of many buildings between the 1950s and 1990s but now poses a safety risk in some cases due to having a lifespan of around 30 years.

The theatre said earlier this year that The Rep will remain open and continue to present a theatre programme in The Studio, a space which seats just under 300 people, during the construction works.

But the main 800 seat auditorium, The House, will be closed temporarily from March to November next year.

The Rep previously said these works would not only update the fabric of the building but also enhance environmental performance, improve insulation and reduce energy usage.

Against this backdrop, the leadership at Birmingham City Council has recently approved plans to allocate around £338,000 in funding towards the project.

Councillor Julien Pritchard, deputy leader of the council, said this week that the funding would help address “urgent issues with RAAC” and deliver essential roof repairs.

“The Rep is one of Birmingham’s key cultural and heritage institutions, and it is vital that we do all that we can to protect this building for future generations,” he said.

“This investment will safeguard a much-loved and nationally recognised cultural asset, ensuring that The Rep can continue to enrich lives, inspire creativity and play a central role in enhancing Birmingham’s cultural offer and identity for many years to come.”

A recently-published council report said the project addresses the “critical structural risk” associated with RAAC planks installed more than 50 years ago above the main auditorium and stage.

“A specialist structural survey confirmed elevated structural risk, necessitating temporary propping of the main auditorium roof and ongoing monitoring,” it said.

“The project is being led by The Rep and is already in progress.

“The Rep has modelled operational impacts and scheduled the auditorium closure for March–November 2027 to minimise disruption.”

The council added that temporary propping remains in place and is subject to

inspection but cannot serve as a long‑term mitigation measure.

It concluded that the major works are the preferred course of action because it not only permanently removes the “RAAC risk” but also provides a long-term solution and secures the future operation of the theatre.

The council also clarified that while it is the freehold owner, it is not liable for the cost of repairs, including “major works” to the building fabric.

“Responsibility for repair and maintenance rests with the tenant,” the report stated.

The council went on to say that Legacy Growth grant funding of up to £338,581 was requested to enable The Rep to fully deliver the project.

The theatre was previously awarded £3.047m from Arts Council England earlier this year to support the works, which include the installation of an insulated metal deck roof.

“The Rep have confirmed a contingency total of £466,608 that will support any cost overrun during delivery,” the council said. “The Rep would seek to manage any funding shortfall through a combination of proportionate measures.”

The council says these include targeted charitable fundraising and private philanthropy.

By Alexander Brock | Local Democracy Reporting Service