Amulet Theatre

Significance

The Amulet was built in the early 1970s, opening in 1975. Originally known as The Centre, it was re-named in the 1990s following the discovery of a Roman amulet in excavations nearby. A philanthropic gift from the Showering family, local brewers famed for Babycham, the theatre was part of a major redevelopment of Shepton Mallet funded by the family and was intended to provide a cultural and creative legacy.

Architecturally it is Brutalist in style (unusual for this area), flanked by a block of offices and retail units along Market Square that were part of the same development. The theatre is located at first-floor level and features a fly tower and a large foyer. It was built with the best theatre technology of the time and designed to be flexible. Significantly, it includes what is believed to be the UK’s last remaining example of a motorised ceiling carrying seats, which descends to convert the flat floor of the theatre into a space with raked seating.

The Amulet hosted theatre, live music and film screenings and, as the only theatre in the town and with limited provision in the wider area, it became an important venue in this part of Somerset.

Why is this theatre at risk?

The Amulet was added to the Theatres at Risk Register in 2022.

The Amulet was acquired by the Bristol Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA) in the mid-2000s, who refurbished the building, using it as an education and training centre known as the Academy, with a full programme of public theatre and performance use in the evenings. BAPA went into administration in 2011, and the Amulet was acquired by a private owner and has been closed as a theatre since. The auditorium has been in use as a gym, but there is no record of planning permission having been obtained for this use.

In July 2020, the owner of the Amulet submitted a planning application to convert the building into apartments with a portion of the ground floor converted into a retail unit. The application remains undetermined because Somerset is an area where decisions on residential developments have been halted due to phosphate levels. In November 2021, a further application was submitted to progress the retail element of the scheme in the interim, which also remains undetermined by Mendip District Council.  

Theatres Trust submitted strong objections to the 2020 and 2021 proposals. Our submissions cited a lack of evidence that the theatre is surplus to requirements and therefore the proposals conflict with local and national planning policy. We also expressed concern that there is a lack of clarity regarding the extent of the building to which the proposed change of use applies and that this could unwittingly cause the loss of the building’s protected theatre status. The full proposals would see irreversible alteration that would result in the permanent loss of this theatre as an asset for the town and its people. It would also see a private individual profiting from what was a gift to the people of Shepton Mallet.

Theatre potential

Although the theatre has been used as a gym, it is thought that it remains substantially complete and that it could be quite easily reverted to live performance use, or used for compatible mixed arts, community and cultural use. There is no other provision within Shepton Mallet, little within the wider area and great interest in the facility amongst local theatre and community groups.

The addition of the building to the Theatres at Risk Register in 2022 resulted in several individuals contacting us to express their interest in using the venue for live performance / entertainment. We provided introductions to the owner and between the groups.

It became evident that there was considerable local interest in reopening the building as a theatre for the benefit of the community and in 2023 a local campaign group, Let’s Buy the Amulet was formed. Comprising of local residents and arts group leaders, including some of those who had contacted Theatres Trust, it has launched a bid to buy the Amulet Theatre. The not-for-profit community organisation is being supported by Shepton Mallet Town Council. Theatres Trust has also been providing advice and support to the group.

In November 2023, Let’s Buy the Amulet undertook a community consultation to gauge local interest in, and support for the theatre. The survey was overwhelmingly positive, with strong support for the Amulet to be restored as a community centre, which would also host theatre, cinema, and live music, alongside arts workshops and community events.

The campaign group is now moving forward with fundraising initiatives with the aim to purchase, restore and revive this key cultural venue. It is hoped a rejuvenated Amulet will also serve as a catalyst to support the regeneration of the town centre and high street.

Current situation

During 2024 Let’s Buy the Amulet has made progress in developing the business case for the future use of the building and exploring funding options that will enable them to purchase the building.

In March 2024, Let’s Buy the Amulet was awarded grant funding through the Architectural Heritage Fund of £10,000 to develop a viability study. The group also secured a further £10,000 funding from the Community Shares Booster Fund for support in setting up a community business model, including legal registration and launching a community share issue.

Theatres Trust awarded Shepton Mallet Community Enterprises CIC, who are part of the Let’s Buy the Amulet consortium, a grant of £6,000 through our Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities grants programme. These funds were used to increase the scope of the viability works that was being undertaken to enable the group to have a more comprehensive plan that would appeal to funders.

 The Let’s Buy the Amulet proposal also gained support from Somerset County Council, who put forward the theatre proposal as part of a wider bid for Levelling Up Funding. The change of government in July 2024 meant that this funding option has not moved forward but the preparatory work done by the group for this funding bid has created a solid foundation for them to pursue other sources of funding.

 Theatres Trust will continue to advise and work with the local campaign group and council to see the Amulet brought back into cultural use.

Update 30 January 2025

Cambridge Arts Theatre has a donated 400 seats to the Amulet project, which will be kept in storage until the Amulet is able to reopen.

Photo of the Amulet by Karen Mercer.