Beloved North London community theatre gets outrageous rent hike by council - MP thought it was typo

A much-loved community theatre company could be forced to close after the council revealed plans to impose a 5,000 per cent rent increase on the venue. The company currently pays £1,500 a year to rent the premises but Brent Council is seeking to raise it to a staggering £75,000, an unaffordable move that the local MP has said 'almost looks like victimisation' by council officers.

The East Lane Theatre Company (ELTC) has been putting on plays in North London for more than 80 years. Since 1990, it has taken up permanent residence at the 75-seater East Lane Theatre in the Vale Farm Sports Complex near Wembley Stadium.

The theatre aims to put on around 16 productions a year, however, its future has been plunged into doubt following news of the council's demands. Asked whether the company could afford the increase, its Chair, Danny Popkin, replied 'God no', adding that, unless the amount is greatly reduced, it would no longer be able to afford to use the venue.

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Danny told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "On average we make around £2,000 profit per year and that is pumped back into the club. We pay for the maintenance, we pay for everything else. It doesn't cost the council anything."

He added: "For me it's a hobby, one I have been involved in for 30 years, so I will miss it. For other people, they find, for their mental health and wellbeing, it is absolutely essential to come out and meet other like-minded people doing a similar thing. [...] It's very hard to put a non-monetary value on it."

In a letter addressed to the Leader of Brent Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt, the MP for Brent West, Barry Gardiner, said he was 'frankly shocked' by the level of rent proposed. The council strategy states that Brent is a borough where 'culture is celebrated and vibrant' but the MP warns that this won't be achieved by 'putting one of our most successful and long-standing amateur theatres out of business'.

The letter goes on to say: "I was frankly shocked when I read that the rent Brent Council proposed to charge had risen from £1,500 per annum to £75,000 per annum. In fact, I assumed this was a typographical error and asked whether it was supposed to be £7,500. [...] A 5,000 per cent rise is so obviously impossible for such a small amateur arts group that it almost looks like victimisation by the officers who suggested it."

It adds: "I do understand the extent of the council's dire financial position. But forcing this much-loved community arts venue to close is not going to solve those problems. As elected representatives, it is our job to represent the little organisations like East Lane Theatre Company who do so much good in the community and enrich the artistic and cultural diversity of which Brent is so justly proud."

The theatre has received support from regular visitors, as well as performers who started their careers at the theatre, such as award winning actor Richard David-Caine, who played Chabuddy G's phone shop boss in the BBC cult sitcom People Just Do Nothing.

He said: "I spent much of my youth learning my craft at my local theatre, East Lane. East Lane Theatre is a cosy, inclusive and ambitious venue, which spurred me to explore the art of performing. It played no small part in me finding my voice, both as an actor and, ultimately, as a person."

He added: "East Lane was a beacon of creativity and community for me, at a time when I felt unconfident and lost. Within its safe walls, and alongside its devoted volunteers, I was nourished and supported. For audiences and amateur creatives alike, East Lane is a symbol of what a local performance space can achieve: togetherness, connection and, of course, the delight of live theatre."

Isabelle Iny, who has been a regular visitor to ELTC for nearly 40 years, praised the 'high performance and variety' of the productions and has been left 'dismayed' by the threat of closure. She said: "These facilities encourage community relationships as well as supporting the mental health of the more vulnerable members of our community."

An email sent by Cllr Butt to Danny claims the £75,000 figure is what council officers believe 'can be achieved in the open market', which is necessary to 'continue to provide the services that residents need and depend on'.

It adds: "The council has had its finances cut to the bone and we are now looking at a massive financial black hole [...] We are reviewing every lease we have with organisations that hold Brent property. Everyone is going through the same process and review. It would be remiss of me and the council if we did not explore every avenue to make sure that we are realising the best for the council and its residents from every asset that we have."

ELTC claims it is still attempting to negotiate with the council but, if this is unsuccessful, will go to court in January to challenge the increase. Danny suggests the current rental amount is in line with similar venues around London, but had initially been discussing a much smaller increase to £2,300 per year.

Danny said: "I'm afraid they are in money-grab mode and they will try it on in any shape or form until they are proven wrong. Unfortunately, that may end up costing us a fair bit of money to do so and, even then, we may not get the outcome we want. The court may turn around and say 'it's got to be £20,000' but even that's unaffordable."

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, Cllr Mili Patel, said: "Under our new Property Strategy, we are reviewing tenancies that are about to expire so that we can manage council-owned properties sustainably and at market rate."

She added: "Councils across the country are facing unprecedented financial challenges, and Brent is no exception. We are having to make some tough choices to protect the essential services residents rely on. We recognise the historic value of the theatre and discussions with the tenant are ongoing to explore the possibility of a negotiated agreement."

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