Hayes’ only theatre, a cornerstone of the arts community since 1977, is at risk as Hillingdon Council fails to strike a deal with its current management company, Trafalgar Entertainment.
The Beck Theatre, a cultural landmark in Hayes, West London, may soon face closure as Hillingdon Council reviews its assets. The Beck Theatre, Opened in 1977, and since then, this cherished venue has been the borough’s only major theatre, hosting numerous prestigious acts over the decades. However, with tightening budgets and the arts often being the first to experience cuts, the theatre’s future now hangs in the balance.
Trafalgar Theatres, the company currently managing The Beck, has been in discussions with the council since 2023 to negotiate a new lease agreement, one that could offer stability and safeguard the theatre’s future. Unfortunately, the deadline for these talks has now passed, and Trafalgar is making arrangements to return the theatre to the council when their lease ends in January 2025.
A representative from Trafalgar Entertainment said: “Trafalgar Theatres has been diligent in exploring all options that would allow us to continue operating The Beck and we have been steadfast in our solutions-oriented and collaborative approach to protecting this flagship cultural venue.”
While Hillingdon boasts two other theatres—the Winston Churchill Theatre in Ruislip and the Compass Theatre in Ickenham—these venues, located in the north of the borough, are council-run. Performers are required to rent space and provide staff to manage the facilities during performances. In contrast, the Beck Theatre is the only professionally run venue between Hammersmith and High Wycombe, making its potential closure a significant cultural loss for the area.
Local residents, arts organisations, and performers have voiced concerns about the impact of losing the Beck Theatre. Many fear its closure would create a void in the local cultural landscape, further isolating this part of West London from the city’s vibrant arts scene.
As community members rally to save the theatre, petitions and social media campaigns are already in motion. A Facebook group titled “Save the Beck Theatre” has quickly gained hundreds of supporters. (Facebook Group: Save the Beck Theatre)
The closure of the Beck Theatre would be a devastating blow to West London’s cultural scene. As Hillingdon Council continues to deliberate on the future of its assets, many are hopeful that the theatre’s rich legacy and vital role in the community will secure its survival for future generations.
Below is a statement from Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council
For some months Hillingdon Council has been in confidential discussions with Trafalgar UK Theatres Limited about the renewal of its contract which was due in June this year.
“Trafalgar UK Theatres Limited is owned by Trafalgar Entertainment Group which is a multi-million-pound profit making organisation, majority owned by Barings LLC a US based global asset management firm. The latest published accounts of Trafalgar UK Theatres limited shows it has retained earnings of £18.856 million and made a profit of £1.869 million in the period ending April 2023.
“Trafalgar currently pays no rent for the use of the theatre building and has very limited repair liability, the cost of which has been borne by Hillingdon residents. In addition, the council has been paying a subsidy towards the theatre’s operations.
“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.
“Trafalgar’s accounts show healthy opportunities for further income generation, and we are seeking new proposals that would reduce their reliance on grant funding from the council.
“At 12.58pm today we received their notification letter which expressed 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.
Here is the Letter released by The Beck and Trafalgar Theatres:
Transcript:
BECK THEATRE
– HAYES –
18th September 2024
Dear friends,
It is with enormous disappointment that I’m writing to advise you that Trafalgar Theatres’ future at The Beck Theatre has been made untenable and we are now forced to make preparations to exit The Beck Theatre at the end of this calendar year. Whilst we do not know for sure, our concern is that the theatre may be at risk of permanent closure.
As you may know, The Beck Theatre is owned by London Borough of Hillingdon and operated by Trafalgar Theatres. Our agreement to operate The Beck is due to expire after our Pantomime later this year and we have been in constant dialogue with LBH since late 2023 to explore a new agreement that would give certainty and would protect The Beck for the future.
Trafalgar Theatres has been diligent in exploring all options that would allow us to continue operating The Beck and we have been steadfast in our solutions-oriented and collaborative approach to protecting this flagship cultural venue.
We have been clear with LBH that we urgently needed clarity from them on the future operation if we were to secure a high-quality programme from 2025 onwards – and provided them with a deadline for decisions – after which it would be impossible to do so.
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. LBH have 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.
For nearly 50 years The Beck has been the cornerstone of Arts and Culture for Hillingdon, West London and beyond. Not just a professional Theatre with a world-class programme, but also a hub of creativity, creative learning and community outreach. There is no other Theatre like The Beck in the UK and no other venue of a similar scale with a 10-mile radius. The closure of The Beck would therefore be a devastating blow not just to audiences but also to the myriad local organisations, charities and communities that we support. I am deeply sorry that we find ourselves in this position.
Unfortunately, we are not able to advise on any future plans for The Beck. Should you have questions, however, you may wish to write to the Corporate Director of Place, Karrie Whelan on kwhelan@hillingdon.gov.uk who will be in a position to respond.
Thank you for your continued support of The Beck Theatre.
Yours,
Steve Sargeant
Theatre Director
Wikipedia: The Beck Theatre
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