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Shaping the future of The Electric Theatre

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The lease on The Electric Theatre was surrendered back to Guildford Borough Council in August 2025 and the property is now vacant.
As the owner of the building, we need to decide on its future. 

Exploring options with our communities

We've been involving residents and stakeholders in exploring options to secure the future of the much-loved Electric Theatre.
We know how important it is to our community, and we are committed to ensuring it continues to thrive. 

Survey, pop-up events and roundtable

Last year (2025) people completed a community survey and came to pop-up events around Guildford. The feedback we gathered was used at a roundtable organised for invited stakeholders and partners to consider next steps and review the ideas that had been shared.  

Lessons learnt from roundtable

The roundtable highlighted how important it is to:

  • test our assumptions about how the venue could operate in the future
  • understand what the market can genuinely deliver under different models of operation
  • ensure any next steps are both financially responsible and aligned with community need

Independent specialist appointed

In February 2026 our Executive took another significant step forward in shaping the future of The Electric Theatre. It agreed to appoint an independent specialist to assess the viability of a community focused arts venue and advise how such a model could operate effectively within the Council's current financial constraints. 

An independent specialist considered wider community access to the theatre, including use as a community youth hub. This work exploring potential options for The Electric Theatre was completed in March 2026. It found that a mix of cultural, community use and commercial activity is the best way forward. 

Approach agreed by The Executive

In June 2026 The Executive agreed to:

  • launch an Expressions of Interest process to test market appetite from both cultural operators and commercial organisations 
  • Undertake a compliant procurement process for a new operator of the theatre 
  • explore alternative commercial uses alongside cultural options to ensure the Council delivers 'Best Value' in its use of public money 

Search begins for new operator

Working with independent specialist Blue Horizon Ventures (BHV), we're now inviting Expressions of Interest from organisations and businesses interested in operating this much-loved community arts venue. This process will help us better understand the level of interest from potential operators and identify future management options ahead of any formal procurement process.

The exercise will explore market interest across two operating approaches:

  • a cultural or hybrid operating model (this could be a mix of cultural, community use and commercial activity)
  • a commercial or alternative-use model

By market testing both cultural and commercial options, we'll be better informed on how we can best balance community benefit, financial sustainability and value for money for our residents.

We're particularly interested in understanding how any future operator could help deliver:

  • local employment opportunities
  • affordable and accessible pricing, alongside maximising community access
  • high-quality cultural and commercial programming
  • a resilient business model capable of sustaining the venue over the full contract term

How can prospective operators get involved?

Attend the Operator Market Day
Prospective operators can register for an online Operator Market Day on Wednesday 14 October 2026 at 3.30pm, when BHV and senior directors will present and answer questions about the opportunity.

Please email Julian@bluehorizon-ventures.com to secure your place.

Submit Expressions of Interest
Written Expressions of Interest and completed Operator Response Forms must be submitted by midday on Friday 30 October 2026. Use the SE Shared Services e-Sourcing portal (opens new window) and search for 'Electric Theatre - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice' Project Reference: GBC - 039234.

Protecting the building

The Electric Theatre has been cleared of all unnecessary items. Heras fencing has been put up around the site to ensure the theatre is protected against graffiti and other anti-social behaviour. 

To help us to better understand the likely works needed and costs involved to make the building safe, compliant, and ready to allow future occupation, we carried out a full condition survey. Condition surveys show that: 

  • the structure is sound 
  • some maintenance and upgrades are required 
  • technical systems and customer areas need investment to meet modern standards and compliance 

What happens next?

We may:

  • refine the delivery model and requirements
  • adjust the route to market
  • publish a formal procurement notice
  • proceed with a lease option

Other useful information

Sign up for updates about The Electric Theatre (opens new window)

The Electric Theatre is listed as an Asset of Community Value until early 2031. 

Previous news articles

This page was last updated on: 25 September 2026