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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. 

This work to explore potential options for The Electric Theatre has already begun. The independent specialist will consider wider community access to the theatre, including use as a community youth hub.   

Protecting the building

The Electric Theatre has been cleared of all unnecessary items.

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 are conducting a full condition survey.

Heras fencing has been put up around the site to ensure the theatre is protected against graffiti and other anti-social behaviour. 

What happens next?

We expect the independent specialist's report to be completed by the end of April 2026. Officers will use that evidence to inform the future options for The Electric Theatre. An options report with recommendations on how to move forward is planned to go to the Executive Committee in the Summer.  Dependent on the nature of the decision being made, the existence of a new Shadow Authority after the Elections on 8 May may add an additional step to our decision-making process.

Other useful information

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

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