New deal for Churchill Theatre

Following many months of uncertainty, Bromley Council has agreed to accept an offer from a developer for the leasehold of the Churchill Theatre site.

The developer’s proposals include a commitment to work with Trafalgar Group to ensure the theatre remains in the current building – something Bromley Liberal Democrats have campaigned for since plans to sell the site were first revealed in November 2022.

Signatories of our petition will recall the Conservative-run Council’s rationale for selling the site, which had fallen into disrepair on their watch and was supposedly “nearing the end of its design life”, with the cost of necessary repairs spiraling out of control. 

In response, 5,585 local residents signed our petition and made their voices heard, helping to secure this outcome. Under the agreement the building will be refurbished and made structurally sound, giving Trafalgar the assurances they need to keep the theatre in its present home.

While there are details about the deal that remain confidential, there will be concerns over whether the Council have secured best value for this site; whether there are sufficient guarantees to ensure the theatre’s future; and whether it really was necessary to spend £15 million to move the library now that it seems that the building wasn’t actually “end of life”.

But initial signs are that this is a positive outcome that couldn’t have been achieved without the support our campaign received. Thank you to everyone who helped our campaign.