Government announces £1.5bn package to help save theatres from closure through capital repairs

The Government has confirmed £1.5 billion in funding for cultural organisations, setting out plans to address urgent capital needs in theatres and heritage buildings across the country.

Within the £1.5bn total, the package will allocate £425 million for the Creative Foundations Fund, expected to support around 300 arts venue projects, alongside £80 million for National Portfolio organisations and £230 million for work on heritage sites. The investment forms part of the Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to widen opportunities for people to engage with arts and culture.

The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre, who have campaigned for an emergency fund of a similar calibre for many years, responded to the announcement with enthusiasm, noting its significance for the sector’s long-term infrastructure and its role in supporting local economies.

Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatres’ co-CEOs Claire Walker and Hannah Essex said: “This announcement sends a clear signal of the Government’s long-term commitment to strengthening the UK’s arts infrastructure and recognising the arts as a core economic and social asset… This investment reflects constructive engagement between Government and the sector, and a clear response to sustained advocacy and evidence from the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre on the condition of theatre buildings and the role they play in local economies.”

The situation for many venues is stark: SOLT research indicates that one in five venues will require at least £5 million over the next decade to maintain operations, with nearly 40 per cent at risk of closure and a similar proportion facing safety issues without substantial capital support.

At the same time, the arts supplies a big economic opportunity. According to Walker and Essex: “For every £1 spent on a theatre ticket, a further £1.40 is generated in the local economy, supporting jobs, local supply chains, and high streets. A sustained, long-term approach from DCMS and HM Treasury will enable the arts to continue driving growth, supporting skilled employment, and maintaining the UK’s global reputation for creativity.”

One of the case studies cited by SOLT and UK Theatre is that of Theatre Royal Plymouth, which is seeking £30 million to secure its long-term sustainability. This includes an urgent technical overhaul of its 1,300-seat Lyric Theatre and major accessibility improvements across public and backstage spaces.

Elsewhere, £760 million has been allocated to museums, while £27.5 million has been allocated for the Libraries Improvement Fund.

Indhu Rubasingham and Kate Varah, co-chief executives of the National Theatre said today: “Today’s announcement is a significant step change in futureproofing the performing arts in all parts of the country as we will now have the opportunity to benefit from sustained capital investment from the government. This fundamental commitment will support the industry to thrive and grow, enabling more people and communities across the UK to experience the power of arts and culture in their lives.

“The capital investment the National Theatre has received over the years has made a vital contribution to our pressing need to maintain and upgrade our building as we continue to offer world class theatre to audiences everywhere.”