Andover New Theatre

The need for a new theatre was first identified during the development of the Andover 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 a requirement for a new theatre in the town centre.

Since then, the council has been working to get this project in motion and deliver on the community’s aspirations. Having been awarded £18.3m from the government to put towards the project, TVBC is now forging ahead to create a state-of the-art theatre, which will become the new home to The Lights.

The main auditorium will provide 420 seats, an increase from the 249 available at the current theatre. The new venue will also feature a second event space which can be used flexibly to accommodate 120 seated to 350 standing, with retractable seating and a pop-up stage for music and comedy gigs and room for sit-down banquets.

Local creative arts organisations will benefit from professional dance studios, situated on the first floor, featuring sprung floors and windows looking out across the High Street and Riverside Park. The second floor will house meeting rooms which can be hired out to the public. There will be two cafe/bars at either end of the building and external terraces for visitors to make use of in the warmer months.

One of the striking differences between the new venue and The Lights will be the ability to run shows and events in both the auditorium and second event space simultaneously, as well as operating classes and meetings in other locations around the building. Quality sound proofing and an enhanced design will mean the venue can run at full occupancy.