Theatres removed from the 2026 Theatres at Risk Register

We are delighted to be able to remove two theatres from this year’s Theatres at Risk Register as significant progress has been made towards their respective restoration and reopening.

Abbeydale Picture House

Grade II listed Abbeydale Picture House is a stunning 1920s’ cinema which was later converted to cine-variety. It was added to the Theatres at Risk Register in 2024 when maintenance issues and disputes between the operator and owner had led to its closure. Its inclusion on the Theatres at Risk Register raised the profile of the building and its plight.

In 2025 it was bought by True North Brewery, a company that has experience of restoring and reopening other Sheffield venues. The Abbeydale Ballroom in the venue’s basement has now reopened as a pool lounge, bar and kitchen with plans for the rest of the building to be reopened soon as a vibrant entertainment venue, hosting live music, comedy, art events, and food and drink festivals.

Theatres Trust has provided expert and impartial feedback on the owner’s plans, alongside fundraising support. The vision and investment by the new owner mean that Abbeydale Picture House is no longer considered to be ‘at risk’, although we will continue to support True North Brewery to ensure Abbeydale Picture House has a bright and sustainable future.

Leith Theatre

Category B listed Leith Theatre opened in 1932, built for the people of Leith 'as a gift from the people of Edinburgh', following the Burgh of Leith’s incorporation into Edinburgh. The theatre had been closed since the 1980s and survived a threat of redevelopment in 2004, thanks to passionate local support. This led to the establishment of Leith Theatre Trust, which has been working ever since to restore and revive this wonderful building.

Leith Theatre was added to the Theatres at Risk Register in 2016 to raise its profile and Theatres Trust has been working with Leith Theatre Trust since then as it gradually restores the building and builds its own organisational capacity. This support has included a grant for mentoring and skills development to prepare the organisation to move from a campaigning group to operating a venue.

A further grant, from our Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities programme funded an oral history project, which has enabled Leith Theatre to reach out to wider sections of its community and develop its pitch to funders with a much stronger narrative about the theatre’s importance.

Having recently secured £5m over three years from the City of Edinburgh Council Transient Tourist Levy, as well as funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Leith Theatre is moving closer to being fully reopened to provide spaces for the creative industries and cultural performances, events and community programming.

Removing Leith Theatre from the Theatres at Risk Register is an important milestone that reflects the progress made over the last decade and marks the beginning of a new chapter for Leith Theatre.

The next stage of the project will focus on developing detailed design plans, strengthening the organisation and securing the remaining funding needed to support a National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Phase application and, ultimately, the full restoration and reopening of Leith Theatre as a permanent cultural and community asset.

Although Leith Theatre is being removed from the Register, Theatres Trust will continue to provide its impartial and expert guidance to Leith Theatre Trust as it progresses through its major capital project.