A Victorian theatre that has stood vacant for a number of years could be restored to its former glory as part of plans to redevelop the site behind it for housing.

Built in 1896, the Rex Theatre In Stratford High Street was originally used as a theatre and opera house before it closed in 1933 and was transformed into a cinema.

After the cinema closed in 1969, it was converted into a bingo hall and later became a nightclub before it closed down.

According to a cabinet report, Newham Council repossessed the building in 2013 but it has been largely vacant apart from its housing company Populo using it as offices between 2017 and 2023, and a café which faced the high street.

The site, along with land located at the back of the theatre in Bridge Road, has been highlighted as a “key strategic development opportunity” in Stratford and the future surrounding the site was discussed during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (July 16).

Though the council owns the freehold of the theatre, the land on Bridge Road, known as the “Island site” in cabinet documents, is half-owned by the council with the remainder owned by developer Hollybrook and a company called Morgan Wealth.

Cabinet members looked at a plan to potentially build 179 homes at the back of the theatre and on the Island site, of which 65 would be social rented homes.

A total development budget of up to £88.2million has been set aside to help deliver the 179 homes, which was later approved by cabinet members at the meeting.

Newham mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said in the report: “While this is presently the maximum level of affordable housing the scheme can viably deliver at this time, we have the option to deliver more affordable housing if economic factors improve in the future because the council is controlling the
development.”

The council is looking at plans to retain the Rex Theatre and lease it as a “cultural venue rather than redevelopment” which aims to bring in visitors to Stratford and create new jobs.

According to the cabinet report, the council has seen an interest from entertainment operators in Stratford since the pandemic, which has in turn increased the demand to keep the Rex Theatre as a cultural and entertainment venue.

The report said: “From the start of 2023, Populo has been developing separate strategies for the two land parcels, with the Rex Theatre now identified as a retrofit entertainment/cultural opportunity and the Bridge Road site remaining as a new-build residential-led development.”

During the meeting, Paul Kitson, corporate director of inclusive economy, housing and culture at the council, said: “For many reasons this site has been vacant for a number of years.

"The council has been working with fragmented landowners of the site and with Populo Homes, who have come forward with a viable proposal which can put the site into use.”

Mr Kitson said the theatre has been “abandoned” for a number of years, but if plans were approved in the near future, restoring and reopening it would help to improve the footfall of Stratford High Street, create night-time economy and tackle the council’s housing challenges.

Cabinet members proceeded to approve the report, which includes a development budget of up to £88.2m.