Expected to be demolished to make way for a proposed road scheme, it was relocated to a new purpose-built building on Billet Lane in 1975.

The theatre survived an extended period without Arts Council funding from 1985 to 2000, which caused it to be threatened with closure.

[2] During World War II, it was used first for storage of drugs and medical supplies and then to store furniture.

[2] The Local Government Act 1948 permitted councils to operate or contribute to the running of entertainment and cultural venues.

[4] After opening, the Hornchurch Council purchased additional land adjacent to the theatre in order to provide a car park, workshops and dressing rooms.

[3] It was successful in its opening year and was able to pay its running costs and rent, and repay a £500 loan (equivalent to £17,634 in 2023).

[6] After three years and seventy productions, including an annual pantomime, the theatre had maintained an average of 70% attendance.

[17] The new theatre on Billet Lane, Hornchurch, was designed by Havering borough architects Hallam and Brooks.

[19] The theatre opened with quadraphonic sound equipment, radio assistive listening and air conditioning.

[20] It was officially opened by Peter Hall on 2 April 1975, with an initial production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

[23] The theatre was significantly affected by the impact of the Local Government Act 1985 on arts funding.

Up until 1984/85 the Hornchurch Theatre Trust received an annual grant of £148,000 (equivalent to £600,852 in 2023) from the Arts Council.

By 1994 the theatre was receiving £236,000 from grant funding and income from ticket sales had increased with an average of 75% attendance.

[28] The charity name was changed to Havering Theatre Trust and in 1995 the number of trustees increased to eighteen.

[30] Carlton is credited as restoring Arts Council funding after a 15 year hiatus and saving the theatre from closure.

[41] In March that year it was announced that there would no longer be a single artistic director of the theatre with a new model of rolling co-directors and associates.