An extra £2 million could be needed to complete works at a theatre in Stockport that has been plagued by dangerous concrete, a report has revealed.

The Forum Theatre in Romiley has been closed since last September due to RAAC, causing the loss of performances and costing the operating company – NK Theatre Arts – thousands in lost income.

Stockport council has provided £300,000 for the first phase of work needed to get the theatre open again, which includes adding support to the roof to carry the weight of RAAC panels and prevent a collapse.

This work is due to begin this week and is set to be finished towards the end of May.

While it will help the Forum Theatre to safely reopen in the interim, more repairs are needed to finish the job.

A full removal of the RAAC panels is expected to cost between £1.5 million and £2 million.

Government guidance on RAAC changed in August 2023 (Image - SWNS)

This includes the removal of the roof coverings and each of the RAAC panels and their disposal, as well as forming a new roof structure.

It requires 'securing a funding package' for the repairs and creating a timeframe for the works, to ensure the building can be empty for an appointed contractor.

This will result in the 'temporary suspension' of activities at the theatre when this work is eventually underway.

In March, Cllr Lisa Smart and Frankie Singleton accused the government of failing to provide money to pay for repairs at buildings across the country, including the Forum Theatre.

But councillors at Stockport's Werneth Area Committee said last night (April 15) that they are looking forward to getting the first phase of work completed over the next month.

Romiley as seen from the station (Image - Alasdair Perry)

They also hinted that there could be an update this week about the Forum Theatre's expected reopening later this year.

Cllr Lisa Smart said residents and theatregoers in Romiley can look forward to an "exciting" summer ahead once the initial repairs are complete.

Cllr Mark Roberts added: "Sadly we don't have a magic wand, it's been a lot of hard work by a lot of people, and it's worth passing on our thanks."

RAAC was identified in the building in 2017, and this was managed in line with industry standards until the government updated its guidance in August last year, leading to the theatre's closure.

Forum Festival – an event supporting the Forum Theatre and local businesses which have been impacted by its closure – is due to take place this Saturday at Romiley Precinct from 6pm.

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