Highly valued gem or eyesore?

Sunninghill: Novello Theatre looks set to be demolished

The Novello Theatre, which was built in 1908, looks likely to be demolished unless a group is able to step up to take it on. Ref: 136057-3

A ‘highly valued gem in Sunninghill High Street’ is likely to be demolished unless a group steps up to take it on.

Novello Theatre was built in 1908 and was one of the original cinemas in the country.

It was then converted and extended into a small theatre, used for drama, dancing, singing and cinema.

However, until recently it was in ‘almost exclusive use’ by Redroofs, a Maidenhead theatre school, which had been using it for about 20 years, said ward councillor Julian Sharpe.

The theatre was ‘probably used about once a year’ and has become a ‘horrible eyesore’ in the Sunninghill area, he said.

“It’s been a bone of contention in the village for a number of years,” he said.

The community ‘would love to take it over and use it,’ he said – but that would take some funding.

In September, Cllr Sharpe asked the full council what was set to become of this ‘now abandoned’ facility –

and what action was being taken to return it to community use.

Cllr Joshua Reynolds, cabinet member for communities and leisure, replied that The Novello Theatre was returned to the council following the surrender of the lease in June 2023.

Following an inspection, it was found that the cement particle sheets making up the flank wall had failed due to their age.

He said the building was ‘beyond its economic life’ and the cost of a new build or the ‘extensive’ refurbishment needed would be about £1million – which is ‘prohibitive.’

It is also next door to the Cordes Hall in Sunninghill – a community venue which hosts a range of events and productions, many of which are ‘similar in nature’ to the events that used to be held at the Novello.

Now Novello Theatre is listed in a set of capital projects in the Windsor and Maidenhead council’s draft 2024/25 budget – set for potential demolition.

Speaking to the Express, Cllr Reynolds said it came back to the council when the leaseholder ‘couldn't look after it any more’ and asked

for their lease to end.

“It’s a very old building and not in particularly great condition,” he said.

“Walls have failed due to its old age and it’s got asbestos in it.

“We considered the options, given the council's financial challenges.

“There is not much we can do with it [as it is].”

A capital bid has gone through the process to set money aside to knock it down – though that does not mean it necessarily will be.

“If a community group came to us and said [they] want to take it on, we would look at allowing them to take it or selling it to them – whatever we need to,” said Cllr Reynolds.

He said having money in the budget now, ready for next year, means that at least the council can knock it down if no one takes it on.

He said: “What I wouldn't want is for us to get into a position in six to eight months’ time when we go, ‘Oh my gosh, it's really unsafe now, we've got to knock it down,’ and there's been no money allocated to it, and it hasn’t been through the scrutiny processes.

“For me, the important thing is it’s on the list.”