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Shaping the future of The Electric Theatre

The lease on The Electric Theatre was surrendered back to Guildford Borough Council in August 2025 and the property is now vacant. As the owner of the building, we need to decide on its future. 

Exploring options with our communities

We've been involving residents and stakeholders in exploring options to secure the future of the much-loved Electric Theatre. We know how important it is to our community, and we are committed to ensuring it continues to thrive. 

Survey, pop-up events and roundtable

Last year (2025) people completed a community survey and came to pop-up events around Guildford. The feedback we gathered was used at a roundtable organised for invited stakeholders and partners to consider next steps and review the ideas that had been shared.  

Lessons learnt from roundtable

The roundtable highlighted how important it is to:

  • test our assumptions about how the venue could operate in the future
  • understand what the market can genuinely deliver under different models of operation
  • ensure any next steps are both financially responsible and aligned with community need.

Independent specialist appointed

In February 2026 our Executive took another significant step forward in shaping the future of The Electric Theatre. It agreed to appoint an independent specialist to assess the viability of a community focused arts venue and advise how such a model could operate effectively within the Council's current financial constraints. 

An independent specialist considered wider community access to the theatre, including use as a community youth hub. This work exploring potential options for The Electric Theatre was completed in March 2026. It found that a mix of cultural, community use and commercial activity is the best way forward. 

Approach agreed by The Executive

In June 2026 The Executive agreed to:

  • launch an Expressions of Interest process to test market appetite from both cultural operators and commercial organisations 
  • Undertake a compliant procurement process for a new operator of the theatre 
  • explore alternative commercial uses alongside cultural options to ensure the Council delivers 'Best Value' in its use of public money 

Protecting the building

The Electric Theatre has been cleared of all unnecessary items. Heras fencing has been put up around the site to ensure the theatre is protected against graffiti and other anti-social behaviour. 

To help us to better understand the likely works needed and costs involved to make the building safe, compliant, and ready to allow future occupation, we carried out a full condition survey. Condition surveys show that: 

  • the structure is sound 
  • some maintenance and upgrades are required 
  • technical systems and customer areas need investment to meet modern standards and compliance 

What happens next?

The next stage is to test possible options with organisations that could run the theatre, followed by a procurement process for a new operator. An independent specialist will oversee the formal Expression of Interest process and carry out a market testing exercise. By market testing both cultural and commercial options for The Electric Theatre, we'll be better informed on how we can best balance community benefit, financial sustainability and value for money for our residents. 

We hope a decision about the way forward can be made later this year. The Executive will receive a report once market testing and further analysis is completed.  

The West Surrey Shadow Authority may potentially need to approve any decision made by the Executive. 

Other useful information

Sign up for updates about The Electric Theatre (opens new window)

The Electric Theatre is listed as an Asset of Community Value until early 2031. 

Previous news articles

This page was last updated on: 1 July 2026