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The Theatres Trust Theatre Buildings at Risk Register 2015 Press Information EMPIRE, BURNLEY Empire, Burnley St James Street, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 1NL Total risk value 5: Risk rating: 3. Star rating: 2. Community rating: 0. Significance The 1200-seat Burnley Empire was built in 1894. The auditorium was reconstructed in 1911 by the architect Bertie Crewe. It is Burnley’s only Grade II listed purpose-built Victorian theatre. The theatre is considered to have a high level of architectural interest nationally, the principal feature being the Bertie Crewe interior which, at the time of listing, retained most of the original structure and elaborate detail with robust and richly formed plasterwork in the Classical style. Though the building is in a very poor condition, with appropriate investment the theatre could be restored to use. Risk Summary of risk: Cost of works (High), Demolition (High), Building fabric (High), Ownership/sale (Medium). When Gala bingo moved out of this theatre in 1995 there were fears that it would be vulnerable to neglect and vandalism. By 1997, the disused upper level already showed signs of fairly extensive water penetration. The more immediate risk, however, seemed to be that it would be sold for some highly profitable non-theatre activity, removing a splendid building from any prospect of a return to its designed use. There was much local pressure to reopen the theatre and in 1997 the local authority together with Burnley Light Opera Society and The Theatres Trust contributed to the cost of a feasibility study to assess the scope for returning the former theatre to live theatre and entertainment use. The 1997 study concluded that that the building could be restored and returned to theatrical use at a cost of £9.5 million but that running the theatre would not be a profitable venture without a minimum public subsidy of £210,000 per year. The full extent of the condition of the building is not known however there are concerns that sections of the building could suffer structural failure and potential loss of historic fabric as a result of neglect and decay. Water ingress appears to be accelerating the decay of the structure. Externally the building appears to be failing, particularly the roof which is not water tight and this will undoubtedly have impacted on the condition of the interior. The owner, Lancashire Theatre Company, went into administration and the building is now in the hands of the Crown, which has advised that the theatre is valued at £50,000. Current situation In 2013 the Council served a Section 77 Order and undertook works (in default) to remove an area of failing render and erect safety fencing on an elevation abutting the highway to keep the public at a safe distance. However, this work has only addressed immediate public safety issues and consideration now needs to be given to the wider challenges concerning this property. The building’s vulnerability means that it could become dangerous very quickly. The theatre is not being actively marketed by the Crown and whilst in its hands the building is exempt from the powers available to the Council to secure urgent works to stabilise its condition and prevent further deterioration. The Council reports that the Empire’s restoration would require a significant amount of resources that it does not have. The Council has encouraged past and present owners to restore the building and bring it back into use, thus ensuring its preservation for future generations, and will continue to give every encouragement to prospective purchasers to return the building to a viable use consistent with its conservation. None of the proposals to date have proven to be viable. © The Theatres Trust 16/09/2015 The Theatres Trust Theatre Buildings at Risk Register 2015 Press Information The Theatres Trust has proposed that it could be useful to identify some professional expertise to enter the theatre and assess the condition of the plasterwork in particular and suggest what might be done, but has not yet been able to do so. The Theatres Trust has been contacted by concerned Burnley residents, keen to galvanise support within the community. Aim To work with the Council to establish access, assess the surviving condition of the Bertie Crewe interior and necessary repairs and consider how best to secure long-term viability. Action 2015/16 for The Theatres Trust To maintain contact with Burnley Borough Council and make an assessment of the condition and significance of the interior. To secure a proper recording of the building should it be lost. Further Information Current Freehold Owner: The Crown Estate Current Operator/Manager: None Local Authority: Burnley Borough Council W: www.burnley.gov.uk Local Authority Contact: Pau Gatrell, Head of Housing and Development Control E: [email protected] Theatres Trust Theatres Database: ID Number 2012 The Theatres Trust Contact: Kate Carmichael E: [email protected] T: 020 7836 8591 © The Theatres Trust 16/09/2015