Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre

Significance

Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre forms part of Motherwell Civic Centre complex, a landmark grouping of modernist public buildings near the centre of Motherwell. The complex includes municipal offices and council chamber, a split-deck shopping area and office block. The centre remains a headquarters of local government in North Lanarkshire.

 The building was subject to an international architecture competition for its design, overseen by A. G. Sheppard Fiddler, Vice President of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

 The Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre are located on the lower ground level to the west of the complex, and are positioned back-to-back and share back of house facilities. The roof of the two-story building sweeps up to express the form of the fly tower.

 A substantial refurbishment in 2011 saw metal canopies added above both entrances and lifts installed. Both theatre and concert hall auditoriums retain their shaped-timber panelled ceilings, lighting fixtures and projecting brick baffles to modulate the acoustics.

The Civic Centre remains one of Motherwell’s most significant landmark buildings. It is Category B listed.

Why is this theatre at risk?

The theatre was added to the Theatres at Risk Register in 2025.

Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre closed on 12 September 2023 due to the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). The planks were found to comprise most of the roof structure. The building has remained closed ever since. The remainder of the Civic Centre is unaffected and remains open.

In April 2024, it was reported that the full intrusive survey of the Concert Hall and Theatre was complete and that an options appraisal had been carried out and was due to be presented to the council for consideration. The report, which contained information on four other buildings in the borough also affected by RAAC, was finally brought to council in December 2024. RAAC was found to affect a significant proportion of the theatre’s roof area and the costs to repair and replace deemed economically unviable. A recommendation to demolish the building was subsequently approved.

The concert hall and theatre are not considered structurally to impact on the remainder of the Civic Centre, however, the architectural, heritage and social loss to the Category B listed complex is great.

The council has suggested that a potential new live space could be provided within the Ravenscraig Complex, however detailed proposals, including information relating to the type and scale of the facility have yet to come forward. The impact on relocating the theatre to a site outside the town centre has yet to be determined and there needs to be further investigation on the impact to audiences and town centre businesses.

Theatre potential

Motherwell was a busy venue for amateur companies, touring productions, and pantomime up until its closure due to RAAC.

 Since the closure of the facility, the Active and Creative Communities team that operates the theatre has attempted where possible to reallocate demand elsewhere within the council’s estate. Alternative facilities being used for shows and events include Airdrie Town Hall and Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, the latter of which hosted both the 2023 and 2024 Christmas pantomime.

Current situation

Theatres Trust is in contact with North Lanarkshire Council and has provided some high-level feedback on the report taken to council on 5 December regarding concerns over the demolition of the building and the long-term cultural offer.

The council report indicated that the condition of the RAAC within the concert hall and theatre was considered High to Critical risk. The survey indicated that numerous RAAC panels were showing damage including signs of water ingress that could weaken the load bearing capacity of the roof structure and increase the probability of a failure. Areas of exposed reinforcement were also visible on a number of planks. A remedial solution was therefore not considered appropriate. The report considered two alternative options – repair and replacement, or demolition. It concluded that the cost of the former- - estimated at between £10.5m and £11.65m - was economically unviable. The report also noted a significant element of risk associated with the work. It therefore included a recommendation to demolish the building. This recommendation was approved at the council meeting on 5 December.

North Lanarkshire Council will now begin discussions with Historic Environment Scotland and look to bring back a further report to the council in late spring/early summer 2025 which will outline proposals on a potential new offering within the new Ravenscraig complex.

Theatres Trust has requested to be involved in forthcoming discussions over the future of the venue and of any reprovision. We hope to work with the council to ensure that it continues to deliver a strong and vibrant cultural offer within a facility that is fit for purpose and that can accommodate the live performance demands of the town.