The future of arts and culture in Reigate & Banstead - engagement report summary

Section 1: About the research

Context

The Harlequin theatre has been inaccessible since the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in September 2023.

In October 2024, the Council held five engagement events and a survey (available online and in hardcopy) to capture feedback from the public about the future of arts and culture in the Borough.

The future of arts and culture engagement was exploratory. This means the research was designed to elicit indicative ideas of resident and audience views and needs. This should be borne in mind when considering the results.

The five events took place in October 2024, and the survey was open from 1 October until the 14 of October.

The survey and events received a satisfactory response rate, with 608 survey responses and 156 event attendees.

The Data & Insight Team was commissioned to support the design, delivery and undertake the analysis of the future of arts and culture engagement findings. The Research Officer provided feedback on question design, data collection methods and analysed the findings.

How to interpret

It should be borne in mind that the engagement activities were popular with audiences who use the Harlequin or are engaged in the arts so the results may not necessarily represent views of the broader general public. The Summary Results provide an indicative understanding of:

1. Peoples perceptions concerning RBBC’s performance relating to arts and culture
2. What is valued about the Harlequin
3. What people want to retain from the Harlequin services
4. What should be considered regarding potential arts and culture provisions and future location/type

Differences in data collection between survey and event responses means that some metrics are not comparable on a one-to-one basis.

However, the best possible quality of data outputs from the engagement activity was achieved, given the limitations on resource and timescales within which planning, delivery and analysis needed to be completed.

Section 2: Results summary

Participation

1. Survey (608 responses)

Of all 608 respondents, 76% were R&B residents, 14% were non-R&B residents, 10% did not specify their residence.

2. Events (160 attendees)

Of 156 attendees, 90% lived within R&B, 7% lived outside of R&B, 27% were from a community arts organisation.

Summary of ‘closed question’ responses (Survey % / Events %)

Please note, the below summarises the number of answers given to a question and not the number of respondents.

Why do you value the Harlequin?

In the top 4 of both the survey and events:

1. Redhill location (survey 24% / events 28%)
2. Variety of programme (survey 20% / events 15%)
3. Customer experience and service (survey 9% / events 7%)
4. Size of stage (survey 8% / events 9%)

What services that are available at the Harlequin would you like to see retained?

In the top 5 of both the survey and events:

1. Professionally produced live performance (survey 30% / events 29%)
2. Community produced live performance (survey 25% / events 27%)
3. Pantomime (survey 20% / events 13%)
4. Cinema (survey 11% / events 11%)
5. Room hire (survey 5% / events 9%)

What types of arts and culture provision should we consider hosting?

In the top 3 of both survey and events:

1. In a building (one fixed location) (survey 46% / events 45%)
2. Touring (survey 17% / events 20%)
3. Pop up (survey 14% / events 20%)

Where in the borough would be best suited for our provision to be located?

In the top 2 of both survey and events:

1. Redhill (survey 64% / events 87%)
2. Reigate (survey 28% / events 7%)

Should the Council subsidise any future provision?

Please note, the events data is heavily skewed (due to respondents answering more than once). As a result, the survey and events data should not be compared.

Survey:

1. 47% answered “yes (same pot as council services)”.
2. 45% answered “yes – (set period of time)”.
3. 5% answered “No – (ticket sales should fund provisions)”.
4. 3% answered “No – (provision profits should fund the council)”.

Events:

1. 71% of answers were “yes – (same pot as council services)”
2. 22% of answers were “yes – (set period of time)”.
3. 3% answered “No – (ticket sales should fund provisions)”.
4. 3% answered “No – (provision profits should fund the council)”.

Summary of ‘free text’ responses

What three words would you use to describe the Harlequin?

The three-word responses provided to this question were grouped into higher level themes.

• Provision: Community, events, culture, transport, entertainment
• Characteristics: Local, hospitable, comprehensive, convenient, affordable
• Feeling: Important, fantastic, friendly, diverse, valued

Perceptions of the Council

1. Many comments indicated that respondents felt that the Council progress on the Harlequin over the past 12 months has not been satisfactory (171).
2. Many comments indicated that respondents felt the Council has already made the decision to close the Harlequin (93).
3. Some comments indicated that the Council seems to no longer place value on the arts (70).
4. Comments indicated that some respondents have felt that there has been insufficient communication from RBBC about the Harlequin situation (88).
5. A handful of comments suggested that the executive councillors lack the experience to decide on the future of arts and culture in the borough (7).
6. A handful of comments suggested the Council should look to other Local authorities for advice and next steps (8).

Engagement

1. Many comments expressed an appetite for more engagement opportunities (125).
2. Many comments indicated that RBBC’s engagement with the community, particularly local arts organisations, and performance schools, has been unsatisfactory (93).
3. Some comments noted that RBBC should do more in schools to encourage children and young people to participate and be exposed to the arts (52).

The Harlequin building

1. Many comments indicated that the Council should repair and reopen the Harlequin (430).
2. Several comments indicated that RBBC should act on securing an alternative venue whilst the Harlequin is closed (48).
3. Some comments mentioned that the closure is an opportunity to future proof and improve the Harlequin (17).
4. A small number of comments indicated that the Council should not work to improve or restore the Harlequin (2) or that there is sufficient alternative provision available elsewhere (1).

Provision

1. Many comments indicated that future provision should contain spaces for rehearsal and performance (136).
2. Some comments noted that the Harlequin was a ‘community hub’ and a central place for arts organisations (56).
3. A roughly equal split of comments mentioned that the Harlequin cinema should be kept (20), whilst others indicated that the cinema is no longer needed (20).

Events and activities

1. Many comments indicated that they wanted more professional theatre events, including more ‘big ticket’ acts (91).
2. Many comments expressed an interest in community arts, such as community festivals and multi school events (74).
3. Some comments indicated that future events offer should be varied (55).
4. Some comments suggested that RBBC should work with organisations to create exhibitions to give artists opportunities to showcase their art (45).

Marketing

1. Many comments view the Harlequin and general arts offer as not having been promoted well in the past. Some comments suggested more advertising in local stores and on social media pages (68).
2. Some comments suggest the Council could play an active role in helping local arts groups promote their own work and productions (39).

Funding

1. Many comments indicated that the Council should fund the arts (69).
2. Some comments mentioned that the Council should not fund arts provision (21).
3. Some comments suggested that RBBC should either apply for funding grants or work with local groups to crowdfund for arts provision (15).

The value of arts

1. Many comments spoke about the value of the Harlequin itself as an important part of the community (77).
2. Some comments mentioned that arts promotes benefits for society, such as economic, reducing crime, and helping young people’s and career prospects (29).
3. Some comments expressed a view that arts has health and wellbeing benefits (26).

Impacts of closure

1. Some comments mentioned that closure has led to less income for local Redhill businesses, alongside an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime in Redhill (102).
2. Some comments expressed frustration at needing to travel to Leatherhead or Dorking for community theatre (21).
3. Some comments mentioned that the closure of the Harlequin has led to the reduction of arts organisation offering (16).

Affordability, accessibility, and inclusion

1. Some comments mentioned that ticket prices for future provision should be affordable (30).
2. Some comments suggested that room hire prices should be low cost, particularly for arts groups and schools (17).
3. Some comments mentioned that arts and culture provision should be inclusive for all (16).
4. Several comments of respondents with a long-term health condition or disability mentioned that provision should be accessible to them (17).
5. A small number of comments indicated that the closure of the Harlequin has had a substantial impact on older populations (2).

Further information

Arts and culture engagement summary presentation (PDF)

Harlequin Theatre & Cinema