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Ceiling Void Inspections & Roof Reinforcements

MJC delivers structural surveys and reinforcement design for concealed ceiling spaces, rigging grids, and heritage roof structures.

theatre ceiling

Specialist Support for the Spaces You Can’t See

Ceiling voids and roof zones in theatres and live venues are some of the most critical - and least accessible - parts of the building. MJC carries out structural inspections, assessments, and reinforcement design for overhead spaces that support lighting grids, suspended scenery, technical walkways, and historic plaster ceilings.

Whether you're planning new rigging, worried about load capacity, or responding to venue insurance requirements, we’ll help you understand what’s overhead - and what needs strengthening.

theatre-remodelling

Why It Matters

These areas are often aging, overloaded, or unverified - but they hold critical loads. Our inspections ensure you can plan productions, upgrades or maintenance works with clear structural understanding and appropriate support in place.

Our Services Include:

Ceiling Void Inspections: Detailed access inspections of ceiling spaces, trusses, and tie points - with reporting on condition, defects, and capacity.

Heritage Ceiling Support: Assessment and reinforcement of ornate or listed plaster ceilings, often with minimal disruption to fabric or finishes.

Roof Structure Surveys: Inspection and structural review of timber and steel roof systems, including long-span trusses and historic members.

Reinforcement Design for Rigging Loads: Structural input for new rigging installations, added AV kit, and production loads in ceiling or roof areas.

Access Walkways & Grid Modifications: Advice and design for safe access through roof spaces and structural changes to existing grid arrangements.

leeds theatre

Working in Live Venues

We plan inspections around production schedules and access constraints - working during dark periods or overnight where needed. Reports are clear, actionable, and often accompanied by drawings and recommendations for reinforcement or remedial works.

Specialist Structural Engineers for the UK’s Live Entertainment Sector

From listed theatres and music venues to airport concessions and temporary event structures, MJC delivers structural engineering that supports performance, safety, and creativity.

MJC Theatre

Established for over two decades

MJC was founded in the mid-90s by Mike Jackson. Mike quickly built a reputation as the ‘go to guy’ for theatre renovations, show signage applications and stage and grid work.

MJC's Growth

Mike's in-depth understanding of UK venues and their structural capabilities, and the increasing demands new shows made on this infrastructure, enabled him to quickly build up the business based on word of mouth recommendation alone.

Expanding our expertise

Since then, the business has grown significantly, expanding to include project managers, structural engineers, and surveyors - each benefiting from Mike’s extensive industry knowledge and experience.

MJC's Client-Centric Approach

Now working alongside Tom Jeffcoat, Daniel Staines, and Pedro Barata, Mike remains a key part of the Manchester team, which delivers specialist structural engineering services to the live events, theatre, and airport retail sectors across the UK.

LIVE EveNTS

Image by Matt Richmond

STAGE DESIGN

Working in theatres and live venues means there’s no room for error - and that’s where MJC stands out. We’re known in the industry for being calm under pressure, clear on site, and dependable from first sketch to final sign-off. It’s why so many production teams come back to us.

Tom Jeffcoat

Structural Engineer, MJ Consulting Engineers

  • Yes - with offices in London and Manchester and a network of experienced engineers, we deliver structural engineering solutions for theatres and performance venues throughout the UK.

  • Absolutely; heritage venues are a core part of our expertise. We balance preservation requirements with structural upgrades to support modern rigging, lighting, and performance demands.

  • Yes - from temporary structures and roof trims to signage and production rigging, we engineer solutions that deliver safety, compliance, and speed for live show environments .

  • Extensive - we've completed projects at Heathrow T2, T5, Gatwick, Birmingham Airport and Liverpool John Moore Airport, delivering bespoke structural designs that meet tight schedules and live-site requirements .

  • Yes - we perform ceiling void, roof, rigging point, and structural inspections to assess condition and readiness for production use or fit-out modifications .

  • Our teams are accustomed to fast-paced schedules. We’re regularly brought into projects during show rehearsals or airport closures - and we deliver reliable structural solutions under time pressure.

  • We work closely with architects, venue owners, contractors, production teams, and heritage bodies to ensure structural integrity, adherence to regulations, and build-ready details.

  • Yes, typically within 5 working days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with MJC - how we work, where we work, and what we deliver.

Insights from the industry floor. Structural thinking shaped by theatre, production, and live performance.

Image by Paul Green

Structural Support That Performs On Stage and On Site

From listed theatres and concert halls to airport concessions and live venues, we bring practical structural engineering to complex environments. Whether you're planning a refurbishment, fitting out a retail unit, or navigating venue constraints, we’ll help you make it buildable - and make it happen.

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