Borough Hall Greenwich remains on the Theatres at Risk Register 2026

Borough Hall in Greenwich is one of just two south London venues on the 2026 register, alongside Streatham Hill Theatre in Lambeth.

The Theatres at Risk Register was launched by Theatres Trust in 2006 to shine a spotlight on theatres and performance venues threatened by closure, redevelopment or serious deterioration.

The register aims to raise awareness, attract investment and encourage action to help secure the long-term future of culturally significant buildings.

Over the past 20 years, the register has helped drive the restoration and revival of more than 80 theatres across the UK, with venues added not because they are beyond saving, but because they still have the potential to serve their communities if the right support can be found.

Borough Hall remains on the list this year, despite being taken over by a new operator in 2024, with Theatres Trust stressing that the building still requires investment and long-term security to safeguard its future.

While the venue is once again hosting performances, events and community activities, concerns remain over its condition, the need for repairs and the temporary nature of its current planning permission.

The Trust says the Grade II-listed building has great potential and is encouraged by its renewed use, but believes further work is needed before it can be removed from the Theatres at Risk Register.

Theatres Trust planning manager Tom Clarke said: "The building was in a slightly neglected condition.

"It's usable, but there are areas of the building that definitely require maintenance and repair, with holes here and there, and external threats to it.

"It's on our Theatres at Risk Register because of the condition of the building and because of those external threats to it."

Completed in 1939, Borough Hall was built as part of Greenwich's new Town Hall complex and is regarded as one of the capital's finest examples of civic modernist architecture.

Designed by architect Clifford Ewart Culpin and inspired by the work of renowned Dutch modernist Willem Marinus Dudok, the building served as a major entertainment and assembly venue for decades.

The venue famously hosted one of Squeeze's earliest performances in April 1975, a gig that is now commemorated by a blue plaque on the building. Over the years, it has welcomed performances from acts including The Who and Squeeze, while later becoming home to Greenwich Dance for 25 years.

Following a period of uncertainty after Greenwich Dance left in 2018, the building was added to Theatres Trust's At Risk Register in 2022 and remains on it today.

However, Tom believes there are reasons for optimism. "The good news for the theatre is that it has a new operator and we're quite comfortable in principle with the current operator and the model they'd be using it for," he said.

He added: "There'd be no alterations to the auditorium itself, and it could go back to a full-scale, full-time theatre at some point in the future."

A spokesperson for Eden Events Group said: "Greenwich Borough Halls is a beautiful art deco venue situated on the Greenwich/Lewisham borders, it has been serving the local community since 1938.

"Sadly the halls were abandoned for almost 9 years, until Eden Events took over the venue almost two years ago.

"Since then, we have undertaken a huge restoration project including restoring the marble floors and walls and many art deco features such as the lighting and wonderful wooden floors.

"We have also refurbished the electrics, plumbing and re-painted the entire building so that it can continue to provide public events such as theatre performances, exhibitions, concerts.

"And private events including birthdays, weddings, award ceremonies, office parties and community group collaborations.

"Our beautiful building is always open to the public and we invite you to come and visit."