FIVE Scottish theatres have featured in a new guide listing venues across the UK considered to be “at risk”.
The Theatres Trust has published its annual Theatres at Risk register for 2025 – featuring three Scottish venues which have appeared on the list before as well as two new venues.
The trust maintains a watching brief on theatres throughout the UK and assesses the potential risks facing them.
This may include the risk of demolition, alteration to another use, local development adversely affecting the theatre, a change of ownership or concerns with the building or its finances.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the Theatres at Risk register?
Organised by Theatres Trust, the charity that campaigns to protect the UK’s theatres, the register highlights theatres across the UK facing the threat of closure, redevelopment or severe decay.
However, the charity still believes that the venues featured have the potential to be revived for their local communities if the right support in place.
You can read an exclusive interview with the charity’s director Joshua McTaggart HERE and below is a look at the list of Scottish theatres on the register.
Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre
This venue forms part of Motherwell’s Civic Centre complex and closed in September 2023 following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in the roof.
A detailed survey found that a significant proportion of the roof was affected with the council considering the £11m repair costs to be unviable.
A recommendation to demolish the buildings has been approved and there is currently no proposals for a replacement.
The Motherwell venue is one of two new Scottish additions to the register for 2025.
The Brunton, Musselburgh
The Brunton (below) first opened in 1971 and was the first theatre to close due to the presence of Raac in March 2023.
A detailed conditions report has indicated significant water ingress resulting in deterioration of some of the roof panels, posing an ongoing risk of failure.
East Lothian council has considered a range of costed options and has recommended it is mothballed and, subject to community consultation, demolished.
The Brunton is the second Scottish addition on the list.
Leith Theatre
The category-B listed Leith Theatre has been on the At Risk register since 2016 having first opened in 1932.
It has been empty since 1988 however and was given a risk rating of six in last year’s guide.
In 2004, Edinburgh City Council approved the sale of the theatre for residential development although this move was halted by concerned campaign groups and from which the Leith Theatre Trust was established.
While the pandemic delayed progress, Leith Theatre Trust took the opportunity to build connections in the community by using the location for a food bank while it also became a popular filming location.
Leith Theatre Trust has received support from Theatres Trust in its transition from a campaigning group to a building operator and supporting plans to incrementally refurbish the building.
Theatres Trust has previously awarded two grants to the project and has previously said that it has “ideal capacity for a mid-sized music venue in Edinburgh”.
King’s Theatre, Dundee
Dundee King’s Theatre has also been on the register since 2016 and has previously been included on a similar “at risk” register compiled by Historic Environment Scotland.
It has previously been used as a cinema, bingo hall and nightclub.
Theatres Trust said it is the only surviving theatre in the Dundee area capable of hosting large touring productions and much of its auditorium remains able to be restored.
The Small Town Club group operated from the venue in the hope the space could be turned into a multi-cultural performance area.
However, they withdrew from the building in 2024, meaning the majority of the space is now vacant amid increasing concerns for its future.
King’s Theatre, Kirkcaldy
The Fife venue, alongside the theatres in Leith and Dundee, has also been on the register since 2016.
Built as a theatre, the B-listed building (below) was converted for cinema use and was Kirkcaldy’s main cinema until its closure in 2000.
It was bought by Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy Ltd in 2016 with plans to restore it to create the largest performing arts venue in Fife.
However, the pandemic and rising costs meant the charity which owns the building decided to focus its attention on the YWCA building.
A visible study has indicated the potential for the main historic theatre foyer to be restored and reopened and for the auditorium area to be redeveloped for community and live performance use.
Theatres Trust believes the site does have potential performance use, although the current conditions means restoration would be challenging.
Click HERE to view the full register.
