THE Courtyard has had to dip into its scarce reserves in order to carry out emergency structural work to its building - accusing owners Herefordshire Council of not willing to help.

The essential work at the Hereford theatre started in January to secure the curtain walling from fundamental design and installation issues dating back to 1998.

This has included designing new structural brackets, replacement of gaskets, waterproofing, reglazing of some windowpanes, rebuilding each corner of the curtain walling and securing it to the main building, and installing EPDM (waterproof membrane) at the base and at the top of the curtain walling.

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It is hoped that these works will extend the life of the curtain walling for at least a further ten years.

During The Courtyard’s major Capital Expansion project, which was partly funded by Arts Council England, the community hub discovered that the building needed urgent structural works. Extensive surveys during this time revealed multiple issues with the glazing that makes up the external walls of the building (known as curtain walling).

The surveys carried out in 2019, 2020 and 2022 all recommended that the curtain walling should be replaced, but the estimated cost of full replacement would be over £600,000.

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The Courtyard approached Herefordshire Council, the owners of the building, with the news of the survey results. However, council officers said they were not liable and the costs were the sole responsibility of The Courtyard as they hold a full repairing lease.

Further research revealed that the curtain walling was installed in 1998 and was only designed to last for 25 years. This September marks 25 years since the theatre opened off Edgar Street, therefore immediate action needed to be taken.

The Courtyard said it had no option but to begin interim structural works and delay the full replacement of the curtain walling. According to its legal advisors, it appeared that the problems were so fundamental that it should be the council, as owner and landlord of the premises, that is responsible for the cost of remedying what appear to be fundamental defects in the original design and construction of the curtain walling.

The Courtyard therefore appealed to the council for support but said council officers were unwilling to negotiate. The theatre has therefore paid £175,000 from its 'scarce reserves' to secure the future of the building, and is awaiting communication from Herefordshire Council to discuss payment liability.