No estimates have been made on the change in the number of theatres since 1997.
The Arts Council England commissioned an economic impact study of UK theatre, published in 2004, which estimates that 541 theatres make up the building-base of UK theatre. This includes commercial theatres, local authority venues and subsidised theatres.
The number of theatre organisations receiving regular funding from Arts Council England has increased from 192 in 1996-07 to 234 in 2006-07.