Horsham District Council has hired a contractor without the usual three quotes to repair The Capitol's fire doors before the venue reopens on 29 November.

The fire doors at The Capitol in Horsham need urgent repairs before the theatre and cinema reopens on Sunday 29 November. Horsham District Council has hired a contractor to do the work without first getting the three quotes its rules normally require.

The council’s head of property and facilities approved the contract on Wednesday 4 November. The decision notice was published on 5 November (HDC decision notice 261105).

What the decision says

The notice gives one reason: “Urgent works are required to the fire doors prior to the venue reopening to the public on 29 November 2026.”

It also records:

  • Waiting was ruled out. Delaying the reopening until three quotes had been obtained “was rejected because of the urgent timing”. Other quotes the council received “included a 3 month lead time for attendance”.
  • The usual procurement rules were set aside. “An exemption to the usual procurement requirements has been applied for and granted,” the notice says.
  • The cost and the contractor are not public. Both are in an exempt appendix that is withheld from publication.
  • The money comes from a general budget. The work is funded from the council’s general asset enhancement budget, not a dedicated refurbishment line.

The notice does not say what is wrong with the doors or how many need work. It is not subject to call-in by councillors.

Where the reopening stands

The Capitol closed on 4 January for its first major refurbishment since 2002. On 26 October the council said the project was complete and released the first photograph of the new auditorium (Horsham District Council, 26 October 2026). The full history of the £10.2m scheme is in our report on the reopening.

The fire door contract is the first sign since then of work still to do. The reopening date has not moved. The Capitol’s own listings, checked on 6 November, still show the pantomime Dick Whittington opening on Sunday 29 November (The Capitol, what’s on).

What it means for you

If you have tickets for the panto or for anything later in the season, nothing changes. The council chose the fast route precisely so the opening night could stay where it is.

The council’s notice says the work is needed before the public returns. We will add an update if the date moves or if the council says what the repairs involved.

Sources