Contractors will be appointed this month to carry out urgent repair work at Romiley's Forum Theatre, Stockport Council has announced.

The theatre has been closed since August 2023, following revised government guidance on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Following the appointment of contractors, work on removing the RAAC will begin soon, the council has said.

The council has provided £300,000 of initial funding to support repairs, but has also approached central government bodies to request funding in line with that received by RAAC-affected schools.

Cllr Mark Roberts, deputy leader of the council, said: "I'd like to thank everyone for their support and patience while the RAAC situation has been ongoing [...] I'm particularly grateful to the constructive approach that has been ongoing between Northern Kids Theatre Arts [the building's occupier] and the council officers, and all the efforts behind the scenes that means we now have an opportunity to get the theatre lights back on.

"It's great to start moving forward with the plan to get Forum Theatre - which is such a valuable and important asset - back up and running in our year as GM Town of Culture [...]. I can't wait to see shows in there again."

Residents and politicians alike have campaigned for a safe re-opening of the theatre since its closure in 2023 (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Northern Kids Theatre Arts, the occupier of the building, has faced an uncertain future since the theatre's closure.

Stuart Dean, Chair of the Trustees at NK Theatre Arts, said: "This is really positive news in that we have a green light and will soon have a schedule to work to. I would like to thank the parents of our members for their patience whilst we continue to hold workshops in various locations around the area.

"We have been humbled by the support from the local community and would like to thank all those who have helped in any way. Our upcoming shows will be advertised as normal on the theatre website together with the details of the venues for each of them which will include New Mills Art Theatre and Stockport Town Hall."

RAAC was first discovered in the building in 2017. James Kington - Assistant Director of Estates and Asset Management for Stockport Council - maintained: "The theatre was not closed because we found anything particularly scary or dangerous. It was closed because of a fundamental change in guidance."

Local councillors and campaigners have called for this matter to be investigated by the scrutiny committee.

For more on Romiley Forum and the campaign to support the building, read our article HERE.

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