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Shaping the future of The Electric Theatre

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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?

We have now appointed, Blue Horizon Ventures, to lead the next phase of work. From September they will:

  • develop a project plan, supporting documents, and timeline for the Expression of Interest and market engagement exercise
  • identify and engage with potential operators, partners, and stakeholders
  • assess responses and provide a summary of market interest and capability, including key opportunities and risks.

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. 

The consultant will help develop a clear, evidence-based recommendation to support the Council's objectives. We expect to receive the consultant's report later in the year, with recommendations presented to our Executive (or if required, a West Surrey Shadow committee early in 2027). 

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: 19 August 2026