The iconic London theatres that are at risk of shutting forever

Four of London's most treasured theatres have been listed in this year’s Theatres at Risk Register. The register consists of 43 theatres across the UK, which all have strong architectural merit, cultural heritage or value to the local community as performance venues.

In London, four theatres - Borough Hall in Greenwich, Intimate Theatre in Green Lanes, Streatham Hill Theatre and Tottenham Palace Theatre - have all returned to the list, with plans to demolish the Intimate Theatre for redevelopment already approved by Enfield Council. Five other UK theatres have added to this year's list, while one theatre - Hyde Theatre Royal near Manchester - has been removed as the building is no longer at risk.

Now in its 19th year, the Theatres at Risk Register, run by Theatres Trust, calls the public’s attention to these buildings, "their challenges, and the significant cultural opportunities they can bring to local communities". Since the list began in 2006, more than 80 theatres have been restored or had a replacement built.

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Borough Hall in Greenwich

The Borough Hall was constructed as part of the former Greenwich Town Hall and is "considered one of the most sophisticated and complete town hall complexes" in London.

The complex opened in 1939 and was met with great enthusiasm, with two blocks - the Town Hall and Borough Hall. Most council administrative activities took place at the Town Hall building (otherwise known as Meridian House), while The Borough Hall was used as an assembly hall for entertainment, social activities and later, as a theatre venue.

In April 2024, it was confirmed that The Borough Hall had been sold to developer Lita Homes for £2.475m. The new owner has since made public its plans to redevelop the building as a hotel, with negotiations with one theatre operator having previously failed.

Theatres Trust states: "[We] remain strident in our opinion that we do not consider the collapse of negotiations with one theatre operator to disprove viability and have sought to speak with the new owner to understand whether there may be possibility of an architecturally sensitive scheme that could see live performance brought back to the venue."

Intimate Theatre in Green Lanes

Originally built as a church hall in 1931, only to be converted into a theatre four years later - The Intimate Theatre in Palmer's Green is judged to have played an important role in the community for decades. It is now London's most at risk theatre, with plans for demolition.

The Intimate was a regular venue for St Monica’s Players and other groups which have seen been forced to find alternative premises. A grassroots campaign to preserve the building have been was backed by figures such as actors Steven Berkoff and Nicholas Parsons, both of whom played at the theatre early in their careers.

St Monica’s Catholic Church considers the theatre building no longer fit for purpose and plans to demolish the theatre to build a new parish hall. In February 2019, Theatres Trust submitted an application to statutorily list the building, which was unsuccessful. Enfield Council's planning committee approved the church's redevelopment proposals in December 2023.

Theatres Trust stated: "Despite the resolution to grant planning permission, there remains some hope that there may be a late change of heart by the church and that the Intimate Theatre could still be saved. We maintain that retention and adaption of the existing building could be a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable option, better meeting the wider community needs of the parish while maintaining much-valued local theatre provision."

Streatham Hill Theatre

Built in 1929, this art deco South London theatre was the last to be designed by architect William George Robert Sprague and is said to be "his largest and one of the best-equipped" outside of the West End. It was listed Grade II in 1994 as ‘an unusually lavish example of a theatre built in the short-lived revival of building in 1929-30'.

In recent years it has been used as a bingo. In July 2022, Ruach City Church purchased the theatre for a reported £4 million, but renovation works for the deteriorating building are required. Local campaign group The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre remains very proactive and has achieved successes both in fundraising and in harnessing strong community and creative industry support for the building

Theatres Trust states: "[We] continue to seek discussion with the church to understand how it may use the building, its plans for necessary repair and restoration, and whether the building will be opened for use by the community. We also hope to discuss the possibility of shared use of the space so that Streatham Hill Theatre may once again be open for live performance use for the benefit of the local community."

Tottenham Palace Theatre

Founded in 1908 and with a capacity of 1,500, Grade II-listed Tottenham Palace Theatre is the oldest of the four at-risk theatres in London. It became a cinema in the 1920s and a bingo hall in the 1960s, with "no cultural loss" to the building. It was converted into a church in 1997, and is the only remaining London theatre designed by Wylson & Long, who reconstructed the Blackpool Winter Gardens Pavilion.

The theatre is currently in use for worship, but it has problems from water ingress which is damaging both the structure and the interior plasterwork. Although a long-running campaign of repair works is ongoing, the building still need further improvements.

Theatres Trust states: "Officers from Environmental Health and Building Control teams have visited the property and met with the owner. The council has continued to provide advice to the church group to ensure the safe usage of the building.

"Theatres Trust continues to monitor the situation and will work with the council, Historic England and church group to try and secure the necessary repair works."

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