Arts and culture in Reigate & Banstead - we want to hear from you

Sessions will be informal, drop-in events and will provide the opportunity for people to share their views on what is important to them.

Those unable to attend the engagement sessions will be able to provide their views online and in writing - details on how you can do this will be circulated in October to coincide with the start of the engagement events.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Council Leader, said: “We want to hear the thoughts of everyone who lives in, works in or visits the borough on what they’d like to see in terms of arts and cultural provision while The Harlequin Theatre is unable to be used, and in the future. The feedback will help us to understand community aspirations to inform the development of a business case on options for interim and future provision. We hope to see you there.

“If you’re unable to make the events, please do make sure you take part in our online survey to make sure your views can be considered.”

Engagement events

Following the events, feedback will be considered as part for the development of options for a business case, to be presented to the Executive in January 2025, by which time the inspection surveys and reports on the Harlequin building will have been concluded.

Harlequin building update

A survey to investigate the RAAC further is being jointly commissioned by the Council and head leaseholder, Aviva. The work will include intrusive inspections and will start week commencing 23 September 2024.

The first phase of the survey will determine the extent of the areas that will need to be opened up for inspection. This will inform the indicative programme for the survey completion and when we might expect to receive a report on the findings.

Given the age of the building, it is also prudent for the Council to commission a full building condition survey. This survey will be carried out in October after the RAAC survey has been completed and while we await the final RAAC report. The final RAAC and building condition survey reports are anticipated to be issued by 15 November.

Cllr Biggs added: “Once the RAAC and building condition survey reports have been received, we will have an indicative understanding of the likely costs of remediation.

Before any decisions are taken on next steps, Councillors will need to have the opportunity consider the scale, costs and implications.”

Following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC concrete) in September 2023, the Harlequin building was closed for safety reasons. 

For more information see the Harlequin Theatre & Cinema page.