Image: Margate's Theatre Royal is a new addition

A new report from the Theatres Trust has found that nearly 50 theatre buildings in the UK are "at risk of being lost" unless owners work with local stakeholders to safeguard their future.

In its annual Theatre Buildings At Risk Register (TBAR), the national advisory body said venues were "particularly vulnerable" due to a lack of care and investment.

However, the new Localism Act requires local authorities to prepare lists of assets of value to the community and it is hoped that it will further help to preserve historic cultural buildings.

Since last year's TBAR, 17 theatres have been added but the overall number of venues considered to be "at risk" has fallen from 56 to 49, with 24 buildings removed.

Among those to be removed was Wilton's Music Hall, which recently secured initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards a programme of "urgent conservation works".

Mhora Samuel, director of The Theatres Trust said, "There's good news that overall the number of buildings on our register has come down from 56 last year to 49 this year.

"However, we've also lost some important venues and I'm very concerned about the future of the 17 theatres we've added to the Register - including the Theatre Royal in Margate."

Details: www.theatrestrust.org.uk

Image (c) The Theatres Trust Mark Price, 2007