Barking theatre closes after survey reveals RAAC

Broadway Theatre in Barking has announced its immediate closure after a building survey revealed the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

The building will remain closed while further investigation and essential repairs are carried out.

RAAC was used extensively in the construction of public buildings between the 1950s and the 1970s. It is described as “much weaker” than traditional concrete by the Standing Committee on Structural Safety.

More than a dozen theatres shut their doors last autumn after the government issued updated guidance in response to widespread concerns about the material's longevity.