Streatham Hill Theatre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Streatham Hill Theatre is a historic theatre in Lambeth, England. It was built in 1928–29 and was the last theatre designed by W. G. R. Sprague.[1]
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 Interactive map of Streatham Hill Theatre | |
| Location | London Borough of Lambeth |
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| Coordinates | 51.4405°N 0.1259°W |
| Website | |
Official website  | |
Opening in 1929, it staged theatre, opera, ballet and variety until 1962, apart from a period between 1944 and 1950 when it was closed due to bomb damage. The venue operated as a sister-theatre to Golders Green Hippodrome.[2]
In 1962 it closed to theatre, reopening as a Mecca bingo hall. Bingo continued under several operators until 2017.
It was Grade II listed in 1994 as "an unusually lavish example of a theatre built in the short-lived revival of building in 1929–30; as a suburban example of this date the building may be unique."[3]
The building was added to the Theatre's Trust Theatres at Risk register in 2018.[4]
Also in 2018, London Borough of Lambeth granted Asset of Community Value status to the theatre,[5] renewing it in 2023.[6]
Since 2018, the building remains out of use, apart from a small slot machine lounge, and there is a campaign to save the theatre for the community, led by the Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre.[7]
In 2021, Historic England added the theatre to its Heritage at Risk register.[8]
In June 2022, SAVE Britain's Heritage added the theatre to its Buildings at Risk register.[9]
In 2022, the building's freehold was sold twice, first in May to a property company, then in July to a large church, who are intending to relocate from their current premises in Brixton[10] slot machine operation continues behind part of the foyer, but the rest of the building was left empty[11] until the church opened for services on 30th June 2024.[12]
