Electric Theatre FAQs
What is The Electric Theatre?
The Electric Theatre is a community arts venue in Guildford. The building was originally an electricity works and was converted into a theatre and performing arts space in 1997.
Who owns The Electric Theatre?
Guildford Borough Council owns the theatre, which is also registered as an Asset of Community Value until 2031.
What does the registration of the building as an "Asset of Community Value" mean?
The listing of a building as an Asset of Community Value ensures that if the building owner wishes to sell the asset, it's obliged to notify the community group that registered the application and prohibits a sale for 6 months to allow the community group to raise the money to bid. The building owner is not obliged to sell the asset to the community group nor discount the price.
Why is the future of The Electric Theatre being discussed?
The lease on The Electric Theatre was surrendered back to Guildford Borough Council in August 2025 and the property is vacant. As the owner of the building, we need to decide on the future of the building.
What is happening with The Electric Theatre?
The Council is reviewing the future of The Electric Theatre. We've completed an independent assessment on how the venue could be used going forward.
The next stage is to test possible options with organisations that could run the theatre, followed by a procurement process for a new operator.
What did the independent appraisal find?
The appraisal found that:
- The building is fundamentally sound, but needs some repairs and upgrades.
- There is no single best solution for its future.
- A hybrid operating model combining cultural, community use and commercial activity could be the most effective option.
- Some ongoing financial support is likely to be required.
What is a 'hybrid operating model'?
A hybrid model would combine:
- Community and cultural activities, such as performances, cultural activities, including use by local groups
- Commercial income that could include hiring out spaces, events, and hospitality
This approach aims to strike the right balance of spending public money wisely and providing ongoing financial stability.
Will the theatre remain a cultural arts venue?
There is strong community support for keep this much-loved theatre as a cultural arts venue. This is also the preferred option supported by the Council.
However, we must also make sure any future operating model for The Electric Theatre is financially sustainable. This means alternative commercial uses need to be explored.
What happens now the Executive has approved the report's recommendations?
The Council will:
- Run an Expression of Interest exercise to explore:
- Different ways the venue could be run, including cultural or mixed-use options that provide community use
- Other possible commercial or alternative uses of the building.
This will help us know who is interested in running or using the venue and what plans they have.
Conduct further research and due diligence work to see how the venue could be run, who we could work with, and which options are financially workable.
We will follow this with a compliant procurement exercise to seek a new operator for The Electric Theatre.
Once this work is complete another report will go back to the Executive with recommendations.
Has any funding been allocated for repairs?
Yes. Around £275,000 has been allocated to pay for essential repairs and any improvements needed to bring the building up to standard. The work carried out will depend on the way we decide to run the building.
What condition is the building in?
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
Why are commercial options being considered?
The Council has a 'Best Value' duty, meaning it must ensure we deliver value for money.
Testing commercial options helps confirm:
- whether a cultural use is workable
- whether alternative uses might be more sustainable
Will the Council subsidise the theatre?
Most of the potential hybrid models (combined commercial and community use options) proposed are expected to need some level of subsidy.
However, a key decision will be how to balance financial support with other community and cultural benefits.
When will a final decision be made?
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.
What are the possible outcomes of this process?
Potential outcomes include:
- A cultural and community venue
- A commercially operated venue
- An alternative or mixed-use solution
Keeping the theatre closed is not recommended as it costs us money to keep an empty building.
How can residents and businesses influence what happens to The Electric Theatre?
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.
Last year people completed a survey that we produced and came to the 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 have been shared.
Where can I see the results of the survey?
The full survey analysis from The Electric Theatre public engagement (opens new window) was presented to the Executive in February 2026.
What was the purpose of the roundtable?
The purpose of the roundtable was to create a space for constructive discussions about the future of The Electric Theatre as a community theatre/arts venue. It was about understanding how local communities, stakeholders, and the arts community view the theatre, and for us to collectively identify the key priorities and principles that could shape its future use.
Who was invited to the roundtable?
The roundtable brought together a diverse group of stakeholders and local partners, including:
- organisations that have used the theatre in the past
- representatives from similar venues in our area
- representatives from Guildford's arts and cultural sector
- Council officers and the Leader of the Council
Our aim was to ensure a wide range of voices were heard while keeping the group focused and productive.
What was discussed at the roundtable?
Throughout the day, participants explored what a renewed Electric Theatre could look like - a place rooted in Guildford's cultural identity, welcoming to young people, supportive of amateur and community arts, and able to balance creativity with financial sustainability.
Using LEGO® Serious Play®, groups built imaginative models to express ideas, challenges and ambitions, sparking thoughtful discussion about what the theatre means to Guildford and how it could evolve in the future.
Following the roundtable, the independent facilitator prepared a report summarising the discussions. This, together with the community survey findings and assessments of the condition of The Electric Theatre, was included in the reports considered by the Executive in February 2026.
Who will make the decision on what happens to The Electric Theatre?
The formal decision on what happens to The Electric Theatre ultimately rests with Guildford Borough Council's Executive. This is the body responsible for making this decision on behalf of Guildford Borough Council. Any recommendations agreed may need approval from the Shadow West Surrey Council.
Have you already decided who will get the contract or lease for The Electric Theatre?
No decisions have been made about the process or timeline. The Executive will review all options before deciding on the future of The Electric Theatre. Any recommendations agreed may need approval from the Shadow West Surrey Council.
Would the Council consider running the theatre itself?
We're not in a position to run the venue ourselves. Operating a theatre needs specialist skills and experience that we do not have. Building this capability would take considerable time and investment.
When can interested organisations and groups submit proposals for the theatre?
There are several possible options for how we secure an operator. We are taking advice from our legal and purchasing teams before the Executive makes any decisions. Any recommendations agreed may need approval from the Shadow West Surrey Council.
Our goal is to make sure that the final process we choose is:
- fair
- transparent
- follows all the regulations that apply
How will we hear about any tender or lease requirements?
Once we agree our approach and are ready to move forward, we'll publicise full details. This will include:
- how organisations can formally express interest
- what criteria we'll use to score proposals.