The national awards have been launched by Theatres Trust to mark its 50th anniversary and celebrate the vital role theatre buildings and spaces play in communities across the UK.
The Great Placemaking Partner category recognises local authorities that value culture and invest in cultural infrastructure to benefit their communities.
Lambeth’s shortlisting recognises the council’s long-term work with theatres and cultural organisations, combining investment, policy, advocacy and partnership to protect and strengthen the borough’s cultural infrastructure and create opportunities for residents.
Lambeth is home to an exceptional concentration of theatres and performance venues, from major institutions on the South Bank to independent and grassroots venues across the borough. The council works closely with theatre leaders, cultural organisations, developers, Business Improvement Districts and funders to support these organisations and ensure culture is part of the borough’s wider plans for its places and economy.
This approach is embedded in Lambeth’s Creative Economy Strategy and Night Time Economy Strategy, which recognise the role cultural organisations play in employment, skills, learning, wellbeing, town centres and the visitor economy.
The council has also backed this commitment with direct investment.
It supported The Old Vic’s Backstage development through its Future Workspace Fund and a council-backed loan, helping to create a major new cultural and skills facility in the borough.
South London Theatre has received a substantial council loan as match funding towards its heritage development, alongside investment through RE:Purpose, an innovative £300,000 capital grants programme designed and delivered by Lambeth’s Culture and Creative Economy team using UK Shared Prosperity Funding.
RE:Purpose has helped cultural organisations improve their buildings, strengthen their business models and increase community use, with recipients including VAULT Creative Arts, Bread & Roses Theatre and Waterloo East Theatre.
Alongside investment in buildings, Lambeth has developed programmes including Future Connected and Creative UK Lambeth, giving theatres, creative organisations and businesses access to mentoring, business development and opportunities to grow.
The council has also used its convening and advocacy role to champion the importance of theatre. Working with South Bank BID, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Rambert, The Old Vic and Young Vic, the council helped develop the Engine of Recovery report, demonstrating the contribution of the South Bank’s cultural organisations to Lambeth, London and the wider economy.
Nationally, Lambeth has advocated for Government to recognise the importance of “the stage” alongside “the screen” within its approach to the creative industries, reflecting both the strength of the borough’s theatre sector and its contribution to communities and the economy.
Councillor Natalie Kane, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Inclusion, Democracy and Culture, said: “Lambeth’s theatres are a huge part of what makes our borough special. They bring people together, provide jobs and opportunities for young people, attract visitors and help give our neighbourhoods their distinctive character.
At a time when theatres and cultural organisations are facing enormous pressures, local authorities have an important role to play. That means investing where we can, but also using our planning, policy and convening powers, bringing partners together and making the case for culture locally and nationally.
This shortlisting belongs as much to the theatres and cultural organisations we work alongside as it does to the council, and we are proud of what we have achieved together.”
Lambeth’s nomination was backed by a number of theatres in the borough, including the Old Vic, which said that the council “stands out as a placemaking partner that champions culture and the arts to drive social, educational and economic change”.
The Old Vic’s statement of support added: “Their sustained investment and commitment to local collaboration have had a lasting impact on The Old Vic and the communities we serve. We greatly value the opportunity to work alongside them and strongly believe this partnership deserves recognition.”
The Great British Theatres Awards are being held for the first time in 2026 as part of Theatres Trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The awards recognise excellence across theatre buildings, cultural infrastructure, community connection, sustainability and placemaking.
The winners will be announced at the Great British Theatres Awards ceremony at Central Hall Westminster on 2 November 2026.
