Now a contractor has been appointed, the demolition process is starting at the beginning of June 2025.

The unit was originally built and designed for commercial purposes. It is a concrete structure with pillars 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 which will meet the needs of the community.

Yes, you will still be able to access the Chantry Centre from Andover High Street when the demolition takes place. The entrance may be narrowed slightly to accommodate the demolition site, but the entrance will remain open as normal.

All shops will remain open as normal and we will be liaising with retailers in and around the entrance to the Chantry Centre during this process.

We expect the demolition process to take a few months to complete.

You can view the planning application on the council website here: View Planning and Building Applications | Test Valley Borough Council

Luckily the unit is self-contained, meaning there will be no need to close any roads or access points during demolition. The council will be working closely with the contractor to ensure minimal disruption and we will be liaising with nearby business and residents throughout.

The new theatre is part of a wider regeneration of Andover town centre. Extensive consultation and guidance from urban designers Hemingway Design, identified several initiatives which would bring more people to the town centre. Moving The Lights to the Poundstretcher block in the Chantry Centre will open up the space and attract more people into the town. The new theatre will host [KB1] nearly 1,000 people—significantly more than the current capacity of 240 at The Lights—and can host multiple events simultaneously.

This will boost evening footfall and complement the daytime activity The Lights already brings. As town centres evolve away from traditional retail, we're investing in leisure and cultural facilities to create a vibrant space for living, shopping, and entertainment.

Vacant units, including those in Waterloo Court, offer opportunities for local businesses to grow alongside this investment. The theatre will help to transform the town centre and enhance how residents feel about Andover.

The Lights is an ageing building with increasing running costs and limited capacity. The new theatre will be larger, more flexible, and more commercially viable, offering enhanced opportunities for performances, community use, and local business engagement. A town centre location will attract more visitors, benefitting retailers and boosting economic activity.

The £18.3 million funding comes from the central Government's Levelling Up Fund and must be spent on specific projects outlined in our successful application, which included the new theatre and the development of Western Avenue. If we don’t use the funding for its intended purpose, it will be reallocated to another town.

The estimated budget requirement for this project was set out in the financial strategy report to Council on 29th February 2024, with £28.74M identified for the delivery the new Andover Theatre. On top of this budget, a further 15% contingency was added, advised by our cost consultants to account for inflation, design changes, and unforeseen risks.

Funding sources include:

• £18.3 million from the Levelling Up Fund

• The remainder from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and New Homes Bonus, both of which have already been received.

None of the funding for the delivery of the new theatre comes from council tax.

Yes. We’re one of the most advanced Levelling Up Fund projects in the country. Demolition planning permission has already been secured to reduce risks and save time. We’re in regular contact with the Government, providing quarterly reports on actual spend and planned expenditure. The expected completion of the building is 2027/28.

The theatre is expected to be completed before any anticipated Local Government Review changes come into effect.

Only Unit 62 and part of the entrance will be demolished and repositioned to make space. The rest of the Chantry Centre will remain fully operational with three entrances open throughout construction. No shops will be lost.

We will be working closely with businesses to minimise disruption during pre-construction and building phases. Access may change temporarily, but we aim to keep disruption to a minimum.

No. The £18.3m funding conditions do not include the Andover Museum or library, so they will remain in their current locations.

The tree at the top of the High Street will be retained and incorporated into the theatre’s design.

While specific furniture has not been finalised, the venue will be designed to be accessible and comfortable for all visitors.

Foyer space meets national regulations and wraps around the building, offering various areas for groups, refreshments, and informal use across multiple floors.

The new venue will offer:

• Multiple wheelchair spaces

• Wider seating and row spacing

• Seats with extra legroom

• Varied seat heights and backrest angles

• Circle boxes with removable seats

• Changing Places facility and accessible WCs

• Accessible dressing rooms

A design workshop was held with local accessibility groups to ensure voices were heard and the designs reflected the local picture as well as the national picture.

Yes, the new venue will include a food and drink offering, with details to be confirmed closer to opening.

Ticket prices vary depending on the show, production costs, and tour pricing. The same principle will apply in the new venue.

Yes, the new theatre will provide space for local community groups and performances. Pricing will be determined similarly to current arrangements at The Lights.

Yes, developed with commercial theatre consultants, the business plan covers market demand, competition, and operational strategies to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

A larger capacity enables us to attract bigger acts and cater to unmet demand—The Lights has already exceeded what it can offer.

Despite its size, the new theatre is expected to operate on a similar subsidy to The Lights (£400k/year), thanks to improved commercial viability and greater footfall.

Parking is readily available. Moving to a town centre location means there will be more car parks in closer proximity than at the current Lights theatre, including the Chantry Centre multi storey, Town Mills and George Yard.

Car park hours will be adjusted to suit performance times, and programming will be staggered to ease congestion. No disabled parking bays will be lost.

The theatre will help boost the town's evening economy, encouraging more restaurants and venues to stay open later. Increased activity, lighting, and accessible parking will all contribute to a safer night-time environment.

The Lights will continue to operate in its current location until the new theatre is ready. Plans for the existing building’s future use are under review.