News

Concrete Crisis Deepens

Published

1 year ago

September 22, 2023

Empty theatres due to RAAC safety concerns.

11 theatres throughout the UK have now been forced to bring the curtain down amid the current RAAC crisis. Some of the UK’s most famous venues are included in the list, notably Dartford’s Orchard Theatre and Northampton’s Royal & Derngate.

Until recently the focus had been on schools, but as inspections escalate many theatres are finding themselves in the same position.

Nearly all of the theatres in the list host a variety of tribute shows and this latest crisis will most certainly be a major blow to not only the theatres, but producers, cast members, musicians and associated industries, who’s businesses are still feeling the effects of the pandemic.

Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre joint chief exec. Claire Walker warned that dangerous concrete is “the tip of the iceberg” in terms of wider costs the theatre sector is facing to bring buildings up-to-date.

If you have purchased tickets for shows scheduled to appear at affected theatres, check theatre and show websites for up to date information.

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Trafalgar Entertainment acquires regional operator HQ Theatres

News

Trafalgar Entertainment acquires regional operator HQ Theatres

Trafalgar Entertainment acquires major UK regional theatre operator HQ Theatres.

Published

4 years ago

April 13, 2021

Creative Team

HQ operates 11 venues including the Churchill Theatre, Bromley

Trafalgar Entertainment, the company founded and operated by Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire, has acquired the major UK regional theatre operator HQ Theatres.

Formed in 2016 after Co-Founders Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire stepped down from roles within the Ambassador Theatre Group, Trafalgar Entertainment has grown at an astronomical rate, with it being set to unveil the newly refurbished Trafalgar Theatre and Theatre Royal Sidney later this year. Its other ventures include managing Jonathan Church Theatre Productions and their own Trafalgar Entertainment Productions.

“HQ Theatres is a fantastic business and on behalf of the team at Trafalgar Entertainment, we’re thrilled to be partnering with them…”
Dame Rosemary Squire

HQ was founded in 2006 and operates 11 venues nationwide, with the likes of G Live in Guildford, Southend Cliffs Pavilion and the White Rock Theatre in Hastings on their roster.

Dame Rosemary Squire said “HQ Theatres is a fantastic business and on behalf of the team at Trafalgar Entertainment, we’re thrilled to be partnering with them for the future. It’s a credit to the whole team that they have navigated the recent closure period so successfully and are poised to emerge intact and well placed for future growth as the sector rebuilds.”

Julian Russell, the CEO of HQ Theatres stated “Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence for our business and for the sector as a whole. It is also an acknowledgment of the extraordinary commitment, dedication and hard work of the entire HQ team. After a tumultuous 2020 this partnership will help to fast-track our recovery plans and offers a range of exciting opportunities for the development of HQ Theatres in the future.”