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 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.”