World leading architects appointed to deliver new theatre
In a bid to address community needs, Test Valley Borough Council have appointed Burrell Foley Fisher (BFF) to design a new theatre for Andover.
The leading architectural practice have come out on top as they were carefully selected by the local authority from a shortlist of six top consultancies to deliver the new scheme. Now that the architects have been picked, a planning application is expected later this year with demolition and construction expected to commence in 2025 and completion of the whole project to come in 2026.
News of BFF being chosen to lead on the project has come as a result of Andover being awarded £18.3m from round three of the government’s levelling up fund to accelerate two priority regeneration projects in the town.
So far, the details known are that the new theatre will replace a former Poundstretcher Unit, located at the entrance to the Chantry Centre. The venue is set to become a new home for The Lights and will feature a state-of-the-art auditorium to host a variety of events and creative classes.
In 2020 the Andover Masterplan was adopted by the council which outlined that decent transport links would surround the new art space. These include Andover bus station and the Chantry Centre car park.
Councillor Phil North has remarked that BFF were selected due to the local authority being extremely ‘impressed’ with their previous work.
‘We are delighted to have awarded this contract to BFF,’ Cllr North said. ‘As part of deciding who to appoint, a panel of key stakeholders, including representatives from Andover BID, Andover Town Council, Test Valley Arts Foundation and Borough Councillors were involved. We were so impressed with the quality of proposal that we saw through the procurement process. BFF in particular shone out for the quality of their work and extensive expertise in the cultural sector.’
Cllr North continued: ‘Their energy and enthusiasm to be a part of this project and to help transform Andover town centre will make for an exciting collaboration and we look forward to working with them to bring a new theatre to Andover as we spend the Levelling Up money that the Council, supported by Kit Malthouse MP, was able to secure.’
Helen Grassly, director at BFF, added: ‘We are thrilled to have been chosen to design the new theatre for Andover and the surrounding area. Our expert team will support The Lights to plan a variety of high quality, larger performance spaces.
‘Today modern theatres are also venues for the entire community, open to all, and without barriers to attendance or participation and we look forward to working with Test Valley Borough Council to develop designs that contribute to the regeneration of the town centre and, whilst representative of the area and its history, provide a contemporary building for the Lights to expand their cultural and community offer.’
Prior to taking on this project, BFF completed a remodelling of the Hall for Cornwall, Truro, which was described as ‘brilliantly reimagined’ by the world famous lyricist Sir Tim Rice.
Image: BFF
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