Council to raise curtains on designs for Andover’s new theatre

Since adopting the Andover town centre masterplan, the council has been progressing with plans to deliver on the aspirations of the community and is moving ahead with creating the new venue.

Leader of the council, Cllr Phil North said: "We’ve been working incredibly closely with Burrell Foley Fischer (BFF) to develop the proposals for a space which will retain the spirit of the current Lights theatre and I’m excited to share the designs that have been developed.

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MP Kit Malthouse and council leader Phil North outside the former Poundstretcher (Image: Test Valley Borough Council) "The building will be sympathetic to the aesthetic of Andover’s historic core, whilst offering offer some fantastic modern facilities for the community to use inside.

"The venue will offer a larger space where residents can go to enjoy lots of creative activities, shows and events or simply meet friends to enjoy a cup of coffee."

TVBC has been working closely with specialist architects BFF over the past few months to develop a vision for the multi-purpose theatre, which will be located at the entrance to the Chantry Centre.

The theatre is set to become a new home for The Lights, which has now outgrown capacity in its current location and will offer modern facilities including a state-of-the-art multi-level auditorium, a separate performance and event space, a range of studios, meeting rooms and a cafe.

It will feature an entrance leading onto the High Street and another leading onto Town Mills Riverside Park, which will offer a fresh outdoor space for visitors to enjoy in the warmer months.

The new location puts the theatre in the heart of the town, close to shops, cafes, restaurants and the multi-storey car park. 

Over the next few weeks, BFF and officers from TVBC will be presenting their designs to current users of the theatre, as well as audiences, local businesses and residents.

The proposals will be made public on www.thinkandovertowncentre.co.uk later this month and will be displayed at The Lights and in the former O2 unit inside the Chantry Centre.

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There will be some public sessions held in the former O2 Unit on the following dates, where the project delivery team will be on hand to talk about the plans and answer questions. 

These  will be on Thursday, February 27, 2pm to 7pm and Saturday, March 1, from 10am to 1pm

The designs will be shared ahead of the council submitting a planning application to construct the new building.