THE director of a charity highlighting “at risk” theatres across Scotland has spoken of how important it is to save crucial venues for communities across the country.
We told how the Theatres Trust released its Theatres At Risk Register for 2025, including venues in Scotland.
The register lists venues which may be at risk for a range of reasons whether that’s demolition or financial concerns but which also have the potential to be revived.
In Scotland, those to feature on the 2025 list include:
- Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre
- The Brunton, Musselburgh
- Leith Theatre
- King’s Theatre, Dundee
- King’s Theatre, Kirkcaldy
While there are concerns about all the buildings, Theatres Trust director Joshua McTaggart told The National he felt this was an opportunity to kickstart a new lease of life for the venues.
“This is an opportunity to highlight buildings at risk of demolition or not reopening but the key thing is in doing so that a community or group of people will lose a cultural asset,” he said.
“We are in our 19th year of doing this and it’s not just that these buildings have to come back as theatres, but as some form of life for the community space.”
The venues in Motherwell and Musselburgh are both at risk from Raac with the former facing demolition after it was revealed repairs would cost £11 million.
It was recommended that The Brunton (above) is mothballed and, subject to community consultation, demolished.
Meanwhile, the venues in Leith, Dundee and Kirkcaldy have been on the register since 2016 and concerns remain about what viable future there could be for the spaces.
McTaggart said: “People make the assumption sometimes that this is all about architectural heritage, but there’s a number of reasons a venue can be on the register.
“It can be about the role buildings play or have previously played in their communities. In 2025, cultural spaces are not just a place to see a performance, but many venues now host community groups, mother and baby groups or it’s a chance to have a drink in the bar or café.
“They are at the centre of our towns and cities. I think for me and the reason I do this job is I care passionately and it’s important to have spaces to connect.”
He points out that there are currently no plots for proposals for a replacement venue in Motherwell.
However, McTaggart does believe there are grounds for optimism, not least because there’s a number of community groups looking to try work with the venues.
Theatres Trust has for example been working with Leith Theatre Trust – which was born out of a campaign after the venue (below) was approved for residential development – as the group moves from campaigning to becoming a building operator.
A viability study of the King’s in Kirkcaldy meanwhile has suggested the potential for the main foyer to be restored and reopened even in the face of challenging work.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced £34 million for the culture sector after a previous row over cuts.
“A number of venues have actually been taken off the list because they’ve reopened or a new building has been agreed to,” McTaggart says.
“This isn’t a static piece of work. We run a series of programmes for either local community groups trying to get it back into public use or for advocacy groups.
“We can provide grants for feasibility studies or groups to upscale and take on an operator role, all looking into how the building can be used.
““What’s at risk here is people’s opportunity to connect with other people and that for me is why we do this.”
Click HERE to view more information about the Scottish venues at risk.
