Solihull Arts Complex

Solihull Council Website

Solihull Council is hopeful that The Core Theatre auditorium will reopen in 2025 following more positive findings from the initial investigation works. 

The survey is continuing but the final technical report is expected soon and will allow officers to programme the necessary remedial works and confirm an expected opening date.

Councillor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council, said:

“It is great news that we are aiming to get the auditorium up and running in 2025.

“We are of course really disappointed and sorry that the main theatre will not be available in 2024, but the team have been working hard to ensure that we find the necessary solutions to dealing with the problem that has affected so many buildings across the country.

“We still await the full technical report and its recommendations, but the early indications are that we will be able to get the issue with the roof resolved and we can once again hosts shows.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Artrix for their support over the last months and I’m glad we have been able to leave the venue fit and ready to stage future productions. Artrix was always recognised as a short-term solution, running until the end of this March.

“While the auditorium has been closed, we have been very busy developing an alternative programme of cultural activity in Solihull, using both the remainder of The Core building and other spaces in the borough. Already there has been some brilliant events at the Core, such as ‘Small is Beautiful’, a splendid two-night festival which celebrated and showcased work created by artists living and working in Solihull.

“The recent announcement that we have been successful in securing £307,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority for cultural activity is absolutely fantastic and will turbo-charge our cultural offer this coming year. The money will be used to invest in and boost Solihull’s cultural programme for 2024.

“We will continue to develop our widely ranging cultural programme, using the spaces we have to maximum effect, and I’m excited about the new and creative things to come. This will ensure that we can continue to offer a range of cultural events in Solihull, for our valued Solihull audience.

“Please check The Core Theatre website to keep up to date with all the latest news on this.”

The rest of The Core building is open as usual and a programme of shows, events and activities will continue to be hosted in the Studio theatre, Courtyard Gallery, Encore Café Bar, Core Creatives, Solihull Connect and The Core Library.