An update from Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council has been issued at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/news/update-on-the-abbey-hall

Work to fix the roof of the Abbey Hall will start in early February to ensure the building’s safety. It has been closed with Asbestos and Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) issues since 2nd October 2024. The Asbestos has already been made safe and so the RAAC work needs doing.

The Abbey Cinema can continue operating rent-free from the Old Magistrate’s Court until 31st March 2025. This is a smaller venue with cheaper tickets.

After the roof is fixed, the auditorium will be ‘decorated to make good’ and the town council says, ‘It is hoped that the Abbey Cinema will then be back in the auditorium and that their normal service will be resumed.’

It was said before Christmas, ‘The cost of the measures so far has been £180,000 and
the Council has been advised that the cost of a full renovation of Abbey Hall would be £2,500,000, which is beyond the Council’s financial resources.’

Two months ago, RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) roofing panels were found above the Abbey Hall.

The asbestos on the underside of the roof has been professionally sealed.

A Council Meeting scheduled for December 18th was postponed because information was missing. Once available, the Council will convene.

A renovation of the Abbey Hall, including repairs to the RAAC panels, roof improvements, energy efficiency measures, and internal reconfiguration, is estimated to cost £2.5 million, which is beyond the Council’s means. Already, £180,000 has been spent on intermediate measures.

The Council is exploring solutions. Discussions with the Vale of White Horse District Council, which retains some rights over the property, add complexity.

The Abbey Cinema now shows films in the old Magistrate Court, and the Council has extended its rent-free use until February 28th, 2025. Currently showing are Paddington in Peru, Moana 2, Wicked, and Gladiator 2. The cinema owners contacted their followers to enlist their support before the council meeting of December 18th, which resulted in a flurry of emails to officers and councillors.

Abingdon Town Council has announced a delay in the reopening of the Abbey Hall following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in its roof structure during a survey.

RAAC, a cheap lightweight concrete material used in construction from the 1950s to the 1990s, has been identified as a significant safety risk due to its tendency to deteriorate over time. The material’s limited lifespan and potential for structural failure have led to widespread closures of schools and public buildings across the UK.

The Abbey Cinema closed on October 2nd for the survey and is likely to face delays as experts are brought in to assess what measures are needed to make it safe.

The Abingdon Town Council News Release at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/news/latest-update-on-the-abbey-hall says they remain committed to prioritising the safety of the public and Abbey Cinema patrons, and will ensure ‘any closure is for as short a period as is reasonably possible.’

The Abbey Cinema says, ‘we are working daily with the council to ensure that the roof problems are fixed for our reopening on 8th November for Paddington 3.’

The discovery of RAAC (and low grade asbestos) will complicate the planned refurbishment of the Abbey Hall, which was scheduled to begin in September 2025. The Council acquired the Guildhall, including the Abbey Hall, from Vale of White Horse District Council in April 2011. Thanks to TV Barrote for the drone image.