RAAC probes at St David’s Hall in Cardiff and the Dixon Studio in Essex

St David’s Hall in Cardiff and the Dixon Studio in Essex have become the latest venues forced to close after the discovery of potentially crumbling concrete.

Paul Smith’s stand-up show in Cardiff was cancelled last night as the venue shuts  for at least four weeks.

Other shows indefinitely postponed include Fascinating Aïda on the 16th,  Adrian Edmondson on the 28th and Foil, Arms and Hog on the 29th.

Meanwhile, cancelled comedy shows at the 100-seater Dixon Studio –within the Palace Theatre in Westcliff-on-Sea – include Esther Manito’s Hell Hath No Fury tonight and Josh Jones’ Gobsmacked on the 21s. The main Palace Theatre is unaffected. 

The closures come after Northampton’s Royal and Derngate theatre, Dartford’s Orchard Theatre, the Sands Centre in Carlisle and Solihull’s Core Theatre all announced shutdowns this week.

Cardiff council says the decision to temporarily close  St David’s Hall has been taken to allow additional checks on the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) panels there. And it follows recent changes to advice issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and discussions with structural engineers and insurers.

The council says it has been aware of RAAC in St David’s Hall since 2021, adding that no issues have been raised since then and there has been no evidence of deterioration. However the new advice requires more specialist investigative work.

A spokesperson said: ‘We expect this procedure could take at least four weeks, and we will look to re-open the gall as soon as possible, dependent on any action which may or may not be required.

‘We know this will cause a lot of inconvenience and disappointment, and we would like to apologise to all our customers, but we hope you will understand that the safety of audiences, staff, artists, volunteers, and everyone at the venue is paramount, and that the council is obliged to act in response to the updated HSE guidance and expert advice.

‘We will be contacting promoters and hirers to discuss the potential for rescheduling performances and to review all other options. There is no need for customers to contact St David’s Hall, we will be in touch with all ticket holders about options available to you once we have spoken with each affected show’s promoter

‘We would be grateful if customers could give us the space to undertake this work so that we can come back to you as quickly as possible about your ticket purchase/cancelled event.’

The council is in the process of transferring the venue to Academy Music Group. 

• Tim Vine’s promoters have found another venue for his gig scheduled for Northampton’s Royal and Derngate on September 21. His tour show Breeep! will now be at the nearby Old Savoy on the same night following the closure of the original venue over RAAC concerns.

Published: 8 Sep 2023