The National Theatre has leased a 36,000 sq ft warehouse in South Bermondsey, London, from the Church Commissioners for England.
The National Theatre will use the warehouse as part of a new sustainability initiative, bringing together costumes, props and recyclable scenery under one roof to encourage reuse and reduce the theatre’s carbon impact.
It has signed a 15-year green lease on the building, which was acquired by the Church Commissioners for England in the 1980s for use as the Church of England Record Centre.
James Parker, asset manager at the Church Commissioners for England, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with one of the UK’s most treasured cultural institutions. As the former home of the Church Commissioners’ own archives, this warehouse has a historical significance for us. We’re pleased to secure an innovative new future for the site by helping the National Theatre to reuse and recycle its props, costumes, and scenery – bringing them under one roof for the first time.”
Paul Handley, director of production and technical at the National Theatre said: “We’re delighted to have found such an ideal home for our production resources in Bermondsey. This new space will unlock so much potential in terms of sustainable theatre practice, not just for the National Theatre but we hope for the industry as a whole.
“As a sector, we all need more efficient management and usage of our existing resources if we are to achieve the circular economy that a net zero carbon future demands. This is the first step on this exciting journey that supports our ambitions to be environmentally and economically sustainable, putting reusing and recycling at the heart of our work. The green lease agreed with the Church Commissioners further matches our ambitions, and we look forward to this next chapter.”
Kalmars acted for the Church Commissioners.
