Save London's Theatres Campaign
Guild House,
Upper St. Martins Lane,
London,
WC2H 9EG
Tel: 020 3077 1021
Fax: 020 7379 7001
Email: SLTC

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The Save London's Theatres Campaign (SLTC) was founded in 1972 out of necessity, by Equity and at the behest of Equity members. By the early 1970s, Greater London alone had lost nearly 50 central and suburban theatres. By 1982 about 85% of the 1000 theatres existing nationally in 1914 (most of them then active) had been destroyed or mutilated beyond recall and most of the losses had occurred after 1945. But when in 1972 the then GLC Covent Garden plan was proposed, which would have meant the demolition of 12 theatres and effectively making 4 other Covent Garden Theatres unusable - leaving only 22 Theatres in the West End - there was no alternative but to set up the Campaign and begin a huge and ultimately highly successful campaign to oppose it.

Please help us by Donating to SLTC

One of the most important outcomes of our early campaigning, since the founding of SLTC, is the recognition of the value of theatre architecture and theatre interiors and subsequently the listing of a great many theatre buildings all over the UK.

Our work in saving these theatres (which is strongly supported by Equity and in collaboration with the Covent Garden Community Association), was a key phase in the history of the West End and the conservation of buildings, not only theatres, still continues today.

Our remarkable cuttings album which is now part of the SLTC archive, held in the Theatre Museum's archives, is considered to be by far the best record of this critical period.

We campaign and lobby on behalf of theatre buildings and performance venues in Greater London and the Home Counties. The Campaign is a voluntary, wholly independent body supported by donations, that has amassed an unprecedented wealth of experience over the past 33 years. SLTC now finds itself a point of reference for students, researchers, academics, and concerned members of the general public. Our Website has of course made it much easier for members of the public to contact us.

In 2004 SLTC gave over 60 of it's archive case files to the Theatre Museum for the use of Theatre Historians and research students, and will continue to do so as more become available. In fact we are now preparing a furthur batch of case files and other items to be transferred to the Theatre Museum Archives.

We deal directly with Local Authority planning departments and, for several years now, have been automatically consulted by Westminster City Council on all planning issues relating to the many Theatres in Westminster. Unfortunately, we do not have automatic rights of consultation with Camden Council and still have to apply to be consulted in every case.

The Campaign maintains links with theatres, educational establishments, theatre researchers, government agencies and a close working relationship with The Theatres Trust and Equity to ensure a healthy cross flow of information. It believes, too, that only when people are made aware of the true impact resulting from the loss of a theatre building, can those charged with making planning or other crucial decisions be fully informed on what the consequential loss will do to the choice of theatre in the capital.

The Campaign relies on reports from supporters with concerns about theatres and performance spaces in Greater London and surrounding areas. We follow up all inquiries and where necessary act on information received. Our work includes writing to and meeting with local authorities, circulating information and producing leaflets. We facilitate, advise and encourage local campaigns, and liaise with statutory bodies such as The Theatres Trust. SLTC works closely with Equity, who sponsored and founded the Campaign, and we also work with the other Theatre Unions.

Save London's Theatres Campaign Committee:

The Committee meets quarterly and holds occasional special meetings. The Campaign Officers are elected annually at an Annual General Meeting. The officers are: Hon. Life President: Hon. Graeme Cruickshank; Hon. Vice-Presidents Michael Earl & Clinton Greyn. Secretary: Sheila Collings; Consultant Case Worker and Spokesperson: John Levitt; Vice Chair: Clive Gehle.

The Committee is made up of representatives of the London Equity Branches, the Musicians Union, Covent Garden Community Association, and the Soho Society among other groups, and individuals with particular expertise and Theatre experience, as well as members of the public.

The Campaign is administered on a day to day basis by the Secretary and Chairman. Our Accounts are administered by Independent Examiner, Ron Winter ACIB.

This Website is designed and maintained by Matthew Lloyd to whom the Campaign expresses its gratitude.