Two Strictly Come Dancing stars have cancelled their respective shows at Hillingdon’s Beck Theatre as the future of the Hayes venue hangs in the balance. After a public spat between the operators Trafalgar Entertainment and Hillingdon Council, Trafalgar walked away from negotiations for a new deal that would keep them at the helm.
The Giovanni Pernice and Anton du Beke shows which were due to take place at The Beck in January 2025 have now been cancelled due to the instability surrounding the theatre’s future. The option to buy tickets from Trafalgar’s website now shows an error message.
The website does still have some shows displayed for the new year, however uncertainty remains about whether any will go ahead. At the time of writing, there is no public information suggesting the council has found new operators, nor have they announced any interim plan for the time being.
In September Hillingdon Council said it was ‘seeking new arrangements’ so it is no longer subsidising a ‘privately owned commercial entity’. However, despite the theatre operators offering to pay rent, talks broke down on numerous occasions between Trafalgar and Hillingdon Council.
Behind closed doors there seemed to be hope that an agreement was close after the two sides resumed talks, however in a shock statement on Friday, October 11 the council said: “Last Friday, terms were discussed that seemed mutually agreeable that would ensure the continuation of the Beck’s operation for a further three-and-a-half years, whilst also discussing longer term investment aspirations for a new theatre in the future. However, late on Tuesday evening (October 8), Trafalgar changed their demands and the deal has subsequently fallen through.”
A spokesperson for Trafalgar quickly hit back at the council. They said: “We are disappointed, though sadly not surprised, by the latest public statement from Hillingdon Council (LBH) regarding the Beck Theatre. Sadly, it reflects their approach throughout our negotiations.
They went on to accuse council officers of being ‘unprofessional’ and acting in an ‘appalling’ way. The spokesperson added: “Not only did they fail to understand the seriousness of the situation, or to acknowledge the importance of continued cultural and community provision in Hillingdon – their attitude was one of contempt. This fact was acknowledged by council officers in subsequent meetings.”
Throughout the process Hillingdon Council has said there are no plans to close the theatre. They say they remain committed to ensuring the Beck Theatre remains open.
Philip is a Local Democracy Reporter covering Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow, with a focus on council decisions, housing, planning, licensing and community stories across west London.
