STATEMENT FROM #BACKTHEBECK - 30/10/25

In December 2024, Hillingdon Council announced that Parkwood Theatres had been granted a 15-year lease (with the option of a further 10 years) to run the Beck Theatre, finally bringing stability after months of uncertainty.

However, as of 30 October 2025, it is our understanding that lease still has not been signed. Why?

For the past nine months, Parkwood Theatres has continued operating the Beck under a series of temporary three-month licence extensions - the latest due to expire on 13 January 2026. How can a theatre truly thrive under such short-term arrangements? These rolling extensions may serve as stopgaps during negotiations, but it is unusual for this process to stretch out so long between a local authority and a new operator. 

The consequences of this are already being felt. Investments can’t be made in the building, and several key staff have resigned, citing the strain of prolonged uncertainty and fears of redundancy. Critical roles remain unfilled due to a recruitment freeze, raising concerns about how long the theatre can continue to operate effectively under these conditions.

Meanwhile, the community’s passion for the Beck remains undiminished. Residents continue to champion the venue - a cultural cornerstone that brings exceptional touring productions to Hillingdon and provides vital opportunities for local creatives. Their support is steadfast. And with so much enthusiasm still present, what is preventing the operating lease being signed, to secure the long-term stability that the Beck Theatre so clearly deserves?

We have written an open letter to Council Leader Ian Edwards demanding answers. A copy is below.
We will share further updates in the coming days.

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For Press Enquiries please email contactus@backthebeck.org
For more information on the campaign please visit www.backthebeck.org

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Dear Cllr Edwards,

I’m writing regarding the Beck Theatre and the ongoing uncertainty around its future.

In December 2024, LBH announced that Parkwood Theatres had been granted a 15-year lease (with the option of a further 10 years), which was welcome news at the time and finally seemed to draw a line under the long running uncertainty. Since then, we understand LBH and Parkwood have been working through the final contractual details in order to get the lease formally signed.

However, as of 30 October 2025, whilst some progress may have been made, it appears that the lease still has not been signed. Instead, Parkwood has only been able to operate the theatre under temporary licence extensions for the last nine months. These repeated short term extensions are unsustainable and make it impossible to run the business effectively. Other local authorities handle this process far more quickly and efficiently, so why is it taking so long here? The current licence runs out on 13 January 2026. If the lease hasn’t been agreed and signed by then, Parkwood Theatres will have to start exiting the venue - no business can continue to operate on such piecemeal extensions with no long term stability. Given what’s happened over the past 18 months, it’s hard to imagine another operator taking the risk of stepping in.

This prolonged uncertainty is already causing damage. Several key staff have left because they’re worried about redundancy, and those roles aren’t being replaced until there is some security about the future. Planned investment has also been put on hold, because Parkwood understandably won’t put money into a building when they don’t know if they’ll still be there in a few months time.

After all the effort from the community last year to keep the Beck open, and the overwhelming strength of feeling there is for the venue, it’s really worrying that we may be heading towards the same situation again, and potentially a permanent closure in January.
 

Could you please clarify LBH’s current position and outline when the lease is realistically expected to be finalised? The community urgently needs clear information and reassurance about the theatre’s future.

While the campaign paused in good faith, expecting LBH and Parkwood Theatres to finalise a permanent contract, we are now ready to re-engage with renewed purpose.

I look forward to hearing from you.