Building Update

A quick update on the current building works that are underway.

Front Facade

Kit Room windows

Movement of the 1st Floor Refuge Point into the Kit Room

1. Scaffolding has appeared outside the building to help with the repointing following the removal of the flaking paint. The team are making sure that the building is waterproof before the onset of winter.

Users of the kit room have probably noticed that the two windows that open out onto the roof have been removed and temporally boarded up. 

They are being given lots of tender loving care and will be reinstalled, hopefully as good as new.

These windows are being used as a trial for the process that will be required for all of the sash windows in the building.  Unfortunately this is an expensive task, so hopefully we will get some external funding to help us progress the work further, once the trial is complete.  

We have arranged for the movement of the First Floor Refuge Point to the Kit Room from the Green Room.  A refuge point is used in the event of an evacuation, where a wheelchair user or someone who can’t use stairs needs to take refuge until some help is available.  In the event of a fire, the lift automatically returns to the ground floor, and consequently some people may need help to exit the building.  Previously the refuge point was in the Green Room, but this had a couple of big disadvantages, firstly it was a challenge to keep the refuge point clear, especially when we have big casts using the room, and secondly the Green Room door is a heritage door but not fire proof.

Hence we have now arranged to move both the call for help button and the refuge area to the Kit Room.  The Kit Room door will be replaced with a fire proof door to the required standard. We have also acquired an Evacuation Chair for this room, which can be used to help in an evacuation. The new refuge point has the added advantage that, if necessary, the Fire Service could evacuate someone via the auditorium roof.

Please do become aware of the refuge points in the building, they have a Call button and a marked area that must be kept clear, in case it is needed in the event of an emergency.

If you have any questions or concerns to raise with the building group, please use the building@southlondontheatre.co.uk email address.

Gareth Milton

Commercial Director (volunteer)