Since the Sutton Theatres closed down in 2016, their futures had an uncertainty. A petition was previously set up on here for Sutton Council to consider the outcomes of both the Secombe Centre in Sutton, and The CryerArts Centre (formally known as Charles Cryer Studio Theatre) in Carshalton. Since then, The CryerArts Centre has been reopened under new management.

The Secombe Centre, although did not reopen as a theatre space, did offer accommodation to the local charity, Sutton Night Watch, until they relocated to a new permanent location in Wallington. The building has since then been unoccupied, and had previously been on a “theatre at risk” list until it was removed, for reasons unknown.

Anyway, yesterday in the local newspaper, it was announced that a former nightclub, with the help of Really Local Group and Sutton Council has been given the funding to renovate and reopen as a “cultural hub.” And this really caught my attention. A former nightclub that had been closed since 2013 is being given a new lease of life to bring culture to Sutton; it is as if the Secombe Centre is just a neglected building that will bring nothing. Which I believe is not true. 

The Secombe Centre before it’s closure was considered a good night out at the theatre, at a reasonable price, and it brought plenty of talent from local people to the small theatre companies that made frequent use of the stage; even the pantomimes every Christmas and New Year always filled the seats. But now, if people want to make a trip to the theatre, they either have to go all the way to The Playhouse in Epsom, Fairfield Halls for Croydon, or if they can dig a little deeper in the pockets, New Wimbledon Theatre.

All I’m asking for with this petition is for Sutton Council to at least not actually acknowledge that we have a perfect little theatre that was loved by Sutton, but to also consider any possibilities that it can be reopened and bring the entertainment back to the high street - even if it means finding someone with the appropriate theatrical management experience who can fully commit…