Gateway Theatre

The Gateway Theatre stood in Chester as a small producing and receiving theatre. It opened in 1969 and closed in 2007 after nearly four decades of performances. The building later appeared on Save Britain’s Heritage ‘Buildings at Risk’ register in 2026. During its years of operation, it hosted well-known performers such as James Bolam, Sinead Cusack and David Suchet. The last touring show was Yippeee!!! by Lea Anderson’s contemporary dance company The Cholmondeleys and Featherstonehaughs. After closure, the building briefly reopened as The Forum Studio Theatre in 2007. It was run by Tip Top Productions, an amateur company that presented professional productions and touring acts. The theatre closed again in March 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tip Top Productions decided not to reopen the venue, citing an expiring lease and high costs for necessary safety work. The Northgate Development eventually brought a new performing arts centre to Chester. Renamed Storyhouse, it opened in May 2017 with a theatre, art house cinema and library. The project had faced delays after the economic downturn in 2008. Storyhouse now serves as the city’s main cultural venue, replacing the old Gateway Theatre.