Latest news: Council takes first steps to bring a new theatre to Andover

November 2024

Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) has submitted a planning application to demolish the former Poundstretcher Unit, at the entrance to the Chantry Centre, which will become the new home for The Lights theatre.  This is an exciting time for the town and the first step in delivering regeneration projects in line with the community-led masterplan which was adopted by the council in 2020.

The unit was originally built and designed for commercial purposes and in order to give Andover a state-of-the-art theatre with a multi-level auditorium, the existing unit must be demolished to allow for the development of a completely new building.

The application will take around eight weeks to process and, if approved, we will be looking to procure a construction contractor to carry out the work in late spring 2025.

We’ll be posting updates about the demolition application on our website, so please check-back for details and keep an eye on our FAQs below.

In early 2025 we’re planning to share more exciting updates with you about our future plans for the theatre. You’ll have the chance to see what the new venue will look like and find out more about the facilities it will offer the town.  

Project update: Spotlight on Andover as national architects appointed to deliver new theatre.

Test Valley Borough Council has appointed national architects Burrell Foley Fischer (BFF) to design and deliver a new theatre for Andover.  

The leading architectural practice saw off strong competition from a shortlist of six top consultancies to secure the contract. They will be working closely with other local and national businesses on the project and the team is now set to hit the ground running - with a planning application expected later this year. Demolition and construction starting in 2025, ahead of completion in 2026 and opening in early 2027. 

Read more about the appointment of BFF here.

A new theatre is coming to Andover

Andover is set to take centre stage as plans to construct a brand new theatre are moving ahead. The theatre will be a pivotal part of the future vision for town centre, as set out in the Andover Masterplan. The new venue will be transformational for the area, supporting local businesses, bringing communities together, providing a range of entertainment and celebrating creativity.

The need for a new theatre was first identified during the development of the Masterplan, where more than 4,100 people contributed their thoughts about the future changes they wanted to see in the town. The results from this widespread public engagement showed that almost 80% of Andover residents highlighted the need for a new theatre.

The town’s current theatre, The Lights, delivers a varied programme of shows each year and offers facilities such as meeting spaces, studios and a café. However over time the popularity of the theatre has meant that it is now oversubscribed and needs to expand to continue to meet the demands of the community.

Since the adoption of the Masterplan we have been moving forward with our plans to construct a new home for the Lights. To bring us closer to lifting the stage curtain, Andover has recently been awarded £18.3m from round three of the Government's Levelling Up Fund and some of this funding will be used to construct the new theatre. The money awarded to the town was the result of the council’s work in developing the masterplan following strong public support for change.  We have also been developing a cultural programme of events and markets to showcase all of talent and creativity that is nestled in the heart of Andover and this development will help to expand this programme further.

Being in a strong financial position, we have allocated £3.74m to put towards architect and technical services and, in addition to the Levelling Up Funding received, have approved a funding package to progress our regeneration plans. This is an incredibly exciting time for the town and we are now working hard to put this significant project in motion.

The venue will be situated at the entrance to the Chantry Centre, in what was previously the Poundstretcher unit. The unit was originally built and designed for commercial purposes and is a concrete structure with pillars. In order to give Andover a state-of-the-art theatre with a multi-level auditorium, the existing unit must be demolished to allow for the development of a completely new building.

 The new venue will be well positioned at the top of the High Street, opposite the Guildhall, and will be central to the long-term vision for Andover. Moving The Lights into the new location will:

• Enhance the town's daytime and evening economy

• Revitalise the High Street

• Connect different groups and organisations

• Offer modern spaces for creativity

• Encourage people into Andover to support local businesses

• Provide new community spaces

• Seat more than 400 audience members in a larger auditorium

The current Lights theatre will continue to operate as normal until the new theatre is ready to open and we look forward to welcoming audiences into the venue in 2027.

A lot of work is now underway to prepare for bringing this project to life, along with other aspects of the town centre masterplan, such as the development of a riverside park alongside the River Anton at Western Avenue. Both projects will take time to complete, and we will be able to share more updates as they progress. 

If you would like to keep up to date with what’s happening, you can sign up to receive our regeneration email newsletter here:  Test Valley Borough Council - Andover town centre regeneration (govdelivery.com)

Your theatre questions answered

If you’d like to find out more about the new theatre, take a look at some of our FAQs:

What will happen to the existing Lights building?

Before moving to its new home, The Lights will continue to operate in its current building. We are currently reviewing future plans for how the existing building will be used in future.

Will the Chantry Centre need to be knocked down to accommodate the theatre?

When the location for the new theatre is readied for construction to begin, part of the entrance to the Chantry Centre will also be demolished and moved back. The Chantry Centre will remain fully operational during this time, with the remaining three entrances staying open. No shops will be lost during these works.

What will happen to shops near the entrance of the Chantry Centre and on Waterloo Court?

We will be working closely with businesses in the Chantry Centre and Waterloo Court during the pre-construction phases. Whilst there will likely be some access changes during building works, we are looking to ensure minimal disruption where possible.

Will the museum and library move into the new theatre?

The Levelling Up Funding award, made to Test Valley Borough Council in November 2023, was the culmination of the extensive work that went into the masterplan for the town centre and an application process that took place over a two-year period. The award was based on an application that drew out specific regeneration projects from the agreed masterplan, namely the development of Western Avenue and a new multi-purpose theatre. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUCH) made its decision to award the £18.3m based on this application, with strict guidelines that the funding can only be used for the projects detailed. The application did not include the Andover Museum or the library which is not contained within the masterplan.

 What will happen to the large tree outside of the new theatre location?

The large tree will remain in place at the top of the High Street and will be incorporated in the design for the exterior of the new theatre.

 Will there be a cafe/bar in the new theatre?

Yes. It's too early to say what this will include, but the new venue will have a food/ drink offering.

 Will tickets cost more?

Ticket prices are determined by many different factors, such as the scale of the production and the ticket price point of a show on its tour. As is the case now, ticket prices vary between shows and it will not be possible to say how much tickets for different shows at the new venue will cost.

 Why spend all that money on a new theatre when there are other things to consider, like the cost of living crisis?

The new theatre is central to the town's masterplan and the future of Andover. It will make Andover a place that people can be proud of, building civic pride and having a positive impact on how residents feel about the place in which they live.

By offering more seats for performances and a larger space for activities, we can encourage more people into Andover, to support local retailers, provide new opportunities for businesses and help revitalise the town. 

 Will there still be space for local groups who currently use The Lights?  Will prices go up? 

Yes, the new venue will provide spaces for local groups to use, as well as the auditorium.  At the moment prices have not been determined but will be set using all the same factors that determine the current hiring fees at The Lights.

 Will the new theatre have parking?

The Chantry Centre multistorey car park is located directly opposite the new venue and will remain open as a parking facility.

 Will you still have a large area with soft seating and space for pushchairs?

At this stage we cannot say exactly what types of furniture or seating will be available in the new venue, but we will ensure the venue is accessible and can continue to accommodate current and new visitors.

 Will the area be safe to walk around at night after seeing a show?

Bringing the theatre into the heart of the town will open up so many opportunities for a busy evening economy and we look forward to seeing more restaurants and other venues opening in the evening, meaning there will more activity and people around the theatre before and after a show. There will also be more parking available just a short walk away for theatre-goers.

 Updated May 2024