Hillingdon Council Agreement Secures Future of Beck Theatre

A west London theatre, previously slated for closure in the new year, has been saved following an agreement with Hillingdon Council. The council has announced a 15-year deal with Parkwood Theatres, the new operators of the Beck Theatre, which includes an option to extend the agreement by 10 years. The theatre, located in Hayes, was scheduled to close in January after a disagreement between its former operator, Trafalgar Entertainment, and the council regarding subsidies and operational costs. The deal was finalized after the council enlisted specialist consultants, Blue Horizon, to identify a new operator and prevent the theatre from experiencing a period of closure. Jonathan Haynes, a “Back the Beck” campaigner, informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that this outcome was the ‘”best Christmas present” anyone could have asked for. He remarked: “I’m delighted. We’ve been very nervous for the last few weeks because the council had gone quiet on the communications front.” He added: “But we were hopeful, and campaigned intensely. You can’t put it into words. The campaign has really invigorated the borough and shown the council that people can’t be pushed around. “I think there is no better news.”” The Beck Theatre is expected to transition to the management of Parkwood Theatres in mid-January. Council leader Ian Edwards stated that their aim was to maintain the theatre while providing value for money to residents. Tony Doherty, managing director of Parkwood Theatres, conveyed his “delight” at ensuring a long-term future for the theatre and simultaneously “bringing fresh and exciting opportunities to the stage”.