Dartford’s Orchard Theatre to reopen this year after £11.6m cost increase
Work to repair issue at Dartford Orchard Theatre have seen costs increase as a new update gives an opening date at the end of 2026.
Back in September 2023 the theatre was found to have issues with RAAC (Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete) necessitating immediate closure. A temporary theatre opened nearby.
Since then work has been ongoing to repair the theatre and the latest report before Dartford Council shows a cost increase of £11.6 million taking total costs to £28.4 million.
A meeting this week sought authorisation for the additional spend of £11.6m as well as a “reserve funded budget totalling £360,000 be allocated in order to extend the operation of the Orchard West temporary theatre until the end of summer 2026″.
Rental costs for the temporary theatre structure mean “£64,817.08 per calendar month will be required to be paid to GL Events”
Problems
According to the latest report a number of ongoing issues have arisen:
“Many complications were identified over and above the works required to remove the RAAC panels.
“Once the works began it was clear that the removal of the roof, the suspended ceiling inside, the services within that suspended ceiling (heating, cooling, mechanical, electrical, ventilation, smoke extraction, lighting, sound) would all require complete renewal and that would then impact on the remainder of the building to enable the required technical and safety sign off that would enable the building to safely reopen and be operational once more.”
If things go to plan the work will be complete by the end 2026:
“There will be a phased handover to Trafalgar Theatres beginning at the end of November 2026.
“The building will be fully operational from end November with all of the relevant life safety equipment operational but there will be residual works being completed until the end of December 2026. This will enable Trafalgar Theatres to be fully operational ready for the flagship”. pantomime season.
