New ‘state-of-the-art’ home for Hampshire theatre

A theatre and arts centre in Hampshire is to get a new home as part of a regeneration project funded by an £18.3m government levelling-up award.

The Lights in Andover will be relocated to a purpose-built building in a new location by the town's bus station and shopping centre car park.

Test Valley Borough Council has appointed architects Burrell Foley Fischer (BFF), whose previous projects include Winchester Theatre Royal and New Theatre Royal Portsmouth.

The new building will have a "state-of-the-art auditorium and modern spaces" and is expected to open in early 2027.

The scheme is part of the Andover town centre masterplan, which the council adopted in 2020. 

Leader of the Council Phil North said BFF had been chosen "for the quality of their work and extensive expertise in the cultural sector". 

BFF director Helen Grassly said that "whilst representative of the area and its history", the company would "provide a contemporary building for The Lights to expand their cultural and community offer”.

A planning application is expected later this year.