We were appointed as independent acoustic consultants to represent the interests of Soho Theatre during the transformation of the historic Granada Cinema into Soho Theatre Walthamstow. Our role involved monitoring and reviewing the acoustic design work carried out by the project team, ensuring that the outcomes aligned with the client’s vision for a premier live comedy venue. We assessed proposals for room acoustics, sound insulation, and building services noise control, providing feedback and recommendations to ensure that the design solutions remained robust, pragmatic, and fit for purpose. Our involvement helped safeguard the acoustic quality of the final venue, while respecting the constraints and sensitivities of the heritage context.
The building itself boasts a rich and varied history. Originally opened in 1930 as The Granada, a 2,697-seat cinema, it became a cultural landmark in Walthamstow. Over the decades, it hosted a range of performances, including concerts by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, before closing in 2003. Following a dedicated local campaign to save the building, Waltham Forest Council purchased the site in 2019 and partnered with Soho Theatre to restore and reopen it as a vibrant cultural venue. The theatre reopened in May 2025, featuring a 960-seat auditorium and multiple studio spaces, bringing live performance back to this historic venue.