East Lothian Council to consult on Brunton Theatre demolition following RAAC discovery

East Lothian Council has unanimously voted to close the Brunton Theatre due to concerns regarding hazardous concrete and plans to initiate a consultation process for the building’s demolition. Councillors described the decision as “a heartbreaking decision” but a necessary one, made after Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found in the roof panelling. Experts informed the council that the entire roof structure was compromised, rendering repairs to the building unfeasible. The council will now engage with the community regarding the demolition of the complex, although campaigners are advocating for a replacement facility to be constructed on the same site. Eighteen months ago, sections of the theatre and its adjoining halls, which also accommodated council housing and social services, were “zoned off” due to apprehensions about RAAC in the roof. While RAAC panels typically have a design life of approximately 30 years, those installed in the Brunton Theatre, which commenced operations in 1971, are now over 50 years old. Performances at the theatre were temporarily relocated to other venues within the region while a decision on the building’s long-term viability was pending. However, a report presented to councillors indicated that the expense of repairing the concrete roof panels would be “unaffordable”. The estimated cost for demolishing the complex stands at approximately £3.6m. The Brunton Theatre Trust, responsible for managing the venue since 1994, expressed its desire for a new arts complex on the existing site to ensure it remains “at the heart of the Musselburgh community”. An online petition advocating for a replacement has gathered more than 1,500 signatures. Councillors have committed to contacting the UK and Scottish governments to seek assistance for rebuilding the facility. Michael Stitt, chairman of the trust, stated that it was confronting a “perfect storm” of challenges stemming from funding issues and the building’s closure. Currently, the Brunton Theatre Trust is utilising alternative performance spaces, including the theatre at Loretto School and Haddington Corn Exchange, to deliver its programme of events. The Northesk Church, located nearby, has also been used by the trust, and Mr Stitt affirmed that it would “never give up” on efforts to maintain its presence in the town. He stated: “The Brunton was and is an extremely successful theatre and while there has been this extreme bad luck to conspire against it, we can’t give up on that.” He continued: “I would like a new theatre to be on the same site. It is a unique and special site, it is very much at the heart of Musselburgh. It has easy transport links and it is where our audience is.“Regional theatres like this are the lifeblood of the arts community and it is absolutely vital that they survive.” Mr Stitt further added: “We are in a perfect storm of issues here but we are continuing to press on and look to our future.” Safety inspections of the building were conducted after public concerns about RAAC emerged. Deteriorating panels led to the closure of certain parts of the structure. Engineers subsequently concluded that the building’s condition made a structural failing “likely” within two years. East Lothian Council cautioned that relocating services presently housed in the Brunton Hall could take up to six months. Some services will be accommodated at Haddington’s John Muir House, while the Musselburgh Community Housing Team and face-to-face customer service operations will relocate to the former Citizens’ Advice Bureau on the town’s High Street. Tom Reid, East Lothian Council’s head of infrastructure, characterised the theatre as a “landmark” building and confirmed that all available options for its preservation had been evaluated. He remarked: “We’ve looked at every opportunity that could be looked at. Just to do the roof alone would cost about £22m, and that is not doing anything to the fabric of the building, we’re not making it sustainable and then if you were just to do a basic replacement, like for like, you are looking at £50m to £60m.“It’s untenable, but what is important, it has to close for safety, but we have to engage with the community because a building is a housing for communities to come together for arts and for services.“What it hosted is what is important. The trust has done incredibly well to maintain its arts offering at different venues and we need to work together to make sure we have something at the back end of this.” Few centres inspire the level of affection and loyalty demonstrated for the Brunton. This is partly attributable to its location, a substantial complex situated in the core of the small Musselburgh community. Over the past five decades, it has hosted weddings and birthday parties, facilitated birth and death registrations, and presented a diverse array of shows. Notable performers such as Janey Godley, Jenny Éclair, Hue & Cry, and Jason Donovan have graced its stage. Additionally, numerous amateur performers have participated in dance shows and pantomimes, and their involvement will be crucial to the theatre’s resurgence. For the last 18 months, the Brunton Theatre Trust has continued to organise events across three venues in Musselburgh and Haddington. Despite not operating under a single roof, they have sustained the essence of the Brunton Theatre, even amidst a budget reduction from East Lothian Council and uncertainty regarding funding from Creative Scotland. In this process, they have depleted their reserves and are in urgent need of continued financial support. The work produced by the trust will be essential to the community’s campaign to rebuild the Brunton. Similarly, the widespread support from across the country will be vital. This support must now be directed towards securing financial aid during these challenging times. While this may appear to be a localised narrative, pertinent to a single small community, regional theatres like the Brunton are not merely the lifeblood of their immediate towns but of the entire sector. Its survival will be championed across the whole of the UK.