The Electric Theatre

Our Statement on The Electric Theatre

The Boileroom Guildford CIC is proud to have submitted an Expression of Interest for the stewardship of the Electric Theatre: a venue that holds deep cultural and community significance in our town. This submission reaffirms our long-standing commitment to Guildford’s creative life, inclusive access to the arts, and the sustainable management of community spaces.

For over twenty years, we have successfully operated The Boileroom: an award-winning, internationally recognised grassroots music and community venue that has supported thousands of emerging artists and provided a vital platform for creative opportunity.

Alongside this, our sister site New House Art Space has flourished over the past four years as an award-winning, vibrant arts and studio space, home to an active and diverse creative community. With this proven track record in managing sustainable, inclusive, and high-quality cultural spaces, we are confident that we can bring the same results, energy, and innovation to the Electric Theatre and continue to contribute to Guildford’s thriving creative industry.

Our submission is closely aligned with Guildford Borough Council’s “Shaping Guildford’s Future” framework and Town Centre Masterplan, which prioritise the revitalisation of the Wey corridor, enhancement of community assets, enrichment of cultural infrastructure, and a sustainable, people-first town centre. The Electric Theatre, situated at the heart of the proposed Town Wharf zone, can play a pivotal role in realising this vision.

The Electric Theatre is far more than a building; it’s a valued community asset, a cultural hub, and a space where innovation and local voices converge. As the Council has noted, the future of the venue must balance economic viability with social value, community ownership, and the safeguarding of its identity, which we fully comprehend as curators of two community arts spaces.

We commit to co-designing and co-owning the Electric Theatre’s future with its community, engaging fully with Guildford Borough Council, residents, creative organisations, artists, schools, and local networks to ensure the venue remains open, inclusive, and representative of Guildford’s diverse voices. We will ensure that programming, building use, and operations reflect diversity, accessibility, creativity, and sustainability.

Our vision is to renew and elevate the Electric Theatre’s role in Guildford’s cultural landscape, a venue respected regionally for excellence in performance and community engagement, yet rooted firmly in local identity. We want the Electric Theatre to once again stand as a dynamic space for new generations of voices, art forms, and audiences, and the generations to come.

In practical terms, our vision includes:

•⁠ ⁠A year-round programme blending professional touring work with projects led by community, youth, and emerging artists.

•⁠ ⁠Flexible facilities for rehearsals, workshops, exhibitions, and social use: ensuring the venue remains active and accessible throughout the year.

•⁠ ⁠A sustainable governance model with diverse income streams, community partnerships, and inclusive access initiatives.

•⁠ ⁠Transparent reporting and regular stakeholder engagement, ensuring accountability and responsiveness to local needs.

We believe the Electric Theatre can once again become a cornerstone of Guildford’s cultural ecology, complementing existing venues, empowering local talent, and contributing to a thriving, sustainable town centre. We thank the Council for the opportunity to contribute to this process and look forward to working collaboratively with all partners to deliver a future that honours Guildford’s heritage while embracing its creative potential.