Council asks local organisations and businesses to come forward
Guildford Borough Council has begun a formal search for a new operator for the council-owned Electric Theatre after the venue recorded losses of £250,000 in 2023-24 and subsequently closed. The authority is inviting expressions of interest to help identify future management options before any formal procurement process is launched.
The theatre’s operators cancelled shows from April 2025 after the reported losses. The venue had been leased to ACM Commercial Ltd until the company went into administration in May 2025, and the lease was surrendered back to the council in August 2025. The council says it now wants to understand the level of interest in the community arts venue and to consider a range of possible operating models.
What the council is asking for
Organisations and individuals who might be interested in running the theatre are asked to submit written expressions of interest and a completed operator response form by midday on 30 October. The council is seeking information on how prospective operators would:
- provide local employment opportunities;
- offer affordable pricing for customers and community groups;
- deliver high-quality programming across arts and community uses;
- demonstrate a resilient business model for long-term operation.
"We're keen to hear from the widest range of interested parties, from community-led and charitable organisations through to commercial and alternative-use operators."
The council has emphasised that it wishes to consider a broad spectrum of proposals, including community-led, charitable and commercial models, as well as alternative uses that might sustain the building and its role in the town’s cultural life.
Local context and consequences
For Guildford residents, the question of how the Electric Theatre is run carries more than cultural weight. Local theatres often support freelance and salaried jobs, provide rehearsal and performance space for schools and community groups, and act as hubs for creative activity. The council’s call for information explicitly asks prospective operators to set out how they would support local employment and keep pricing accessible.
Cancelling shows in April 2025 and the subsequent administration of the operator disrupted scheduled cultural activity and left a gap in the town’s programme of live events. The council’s decision to take back the lease in August means responsibility for deciding the theatre’s future now rests with local politicians and officers; the current request for expressions of interest is a first step in that process.
Timeline at a glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Reported losses | 2023-24 |
| Shows cancelled | April 2025 |
| Operator went into administration | May 2025 |
| Lease surrendered to council | August 2025 |
| Deadline for expressions of interest | Midday, 30 October |
Guildford Borough Council’s deputy leader has framed the process as an opportunity to work with the community to find the best path forward for the building and its uses. The council leader also said public views gathered so far had informed reaching this stage and would continue to guide decisions.
"This has always been about working with our community to find the best way forward. The views shared have helped us reach this important stage and will continue to inform the decisions we make as we move ahead."
As the council evaluates responses, local groups and arts organisations will be watching closely. The outcome will determine whether the Electric Theatre returns under a charitable or community structure, attracts a commercial operator willing to accept public-service objectives, or is repurposed in another way. For residents who rely on the theatre for entertainment, education and employment, the next months will be decisive.
Anyone interested in submitting an expression of interest must follow the council’s published process and meet the 30 October deadline.
