Communities and Local Government
A selection of images representing communities.
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Case study: The Broadway
The Broadway is a unique new performance and entertainment venue in Barking town centre. Previously known as The Broadway Theatre, the building was a 'municipal hall' of some architectural significance, designed by Herbert Jackson and Reginald Edmonds in 1936 and completed in 1969, forming part of the Barking Town Hall complex.
The venue has now been completely modernised and redesigned by Tim Foster Architects, and includes: 
- A stunning new glass facade
- An auditorium with flexible seating, with a capacity of 341, which can be altered to accommodate up to 850 for a standing event
- A large education suite with a fully equipped dance studio, music teaching rooms, stagecraft workshop, recording studio, drama and technology rooms, used by the Barking College School of Performing Arts
The venue is now managed by an independent trust, with registered charitable status, and is aiming to improve access to arts facilities in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and the surrounding areas of East London and Essex.
As part of the Thames Gateway Development area, Barking town centre is a major site for cultural and social regeneration. the Broadway is one of the first completed regeneration projects planned for the area and, as the borough's flagship venue, forms part of the Council's vision for a cultural hub in the town centre along with artists' studios, a lifelong learning centre, library and exhibition facilities.
