The Theatres Trust has removed Coalville's Century Theatre from its 'at risk' register.

After the announcement of its 2023 list, the Trust said that the register calls the public's attention to these important buildings, their challenges, and the significant cultural opportunities they can bring to local communities. 

This year's Theatres at Risk Register consists of 38 theatres, with three having been removed, all for positive reasons, and no new additions to the list.

The Leicestershire County Council-run Century Theatre is among those taken off the list - where it was first added in 2014.

Councillor Lee Breckon, Leicestershire Cabinet member for resources, said: "This is tremendous news and highlights just how much of a success our investment into Snibston Colliery Park has been.

"We're delighted that the Theatres Trust has shown faith in the work we have undertaken to the surrounding site to Century Theatre.

"The regenerated area is a vibrant and popular and as Britain's oldest surviving travelling theatre its rich history is now being enjoyed by so many people in its permanent location.

 "Our team are working hard to continue the long-term success of the Century Theatre, and we're looking forward to welcoming more visitors for the upcoming shows we'll be hosting this year."

Image: Leicestershire County Council

The Trust said of the Coalville venue: "A unique mobile theatre, built after World War II, the Century travelled the country for 23 years with the aim of raising interest in theatre and taking productions to towns that had lost their venues during the war.

"Many of the towns it visited went on to build their own theatres.

"It settled in Keswick where it was known as the Blue Box before making its final journey in 1996 to become a permanent performance space and museum exhibit at Snibston Discovery Museum in Coalville.

"We added the Century to the Theatres at Risk list in 2014, when plans were announced to close the museum, leaving the theatre isolated and at risk.

"The museum building was subsequently demolished, and its cleared site and adjoining Country Park proposed for redevelopment for residential use and parkland.

"Theatres Trust contributed to the Snibston Masterplan through constructive conversations with Leicestershire County Council, where we discussed requirements for the building, including access, parking provision, and acoustic screening between the Century and the new buildings.

"The redevelopment plan that has progressed is more sensitive to the theatre, and the theatre is better integrated into plans for the area and the new Snibston Colliery Park, being more visible, with better access and improved facilities.

"Century Theatre is owned and operated by the local authority Leicestershire County Council and has continued to offer a mixed programme of theatre, comedy and cinema while being on the At Risk list.

"Now that Snibston Colliery Park has opened and the theatre is better integrated with the local area, we hope it will be able to play an even more prominent role in its local community.

"The theatre has recently commissioned a film about its history with Covid Recovery Fund support from Arts Council England so more people will become aware of its very special heritage."