New £23m Octagon theatre planned

blackmorevaleJanuary 21, 20210 Comment0

Councillors were set to debate a potential £23 million investment for arts and entertainment in South Somerset – including a new building for Yeovil’s Octagon.

South Somerset councillors were hoped to agree in principle to progress the development of a substantial project that will transform The Octagon Theatre and see major improvements at the venue.

Councillors say this sort of investment could secure the future of the venue and potentially make it self-sustaining, without the need for regular council funding. The venue would be able to host many of the bigger shows, drawing in a wider audience and become an exemplar for arts venues. The project, set to cost in the region of £23 million excluding VAT, would see the theatre add a fly tower and circle that would take the seating from 622 to 900.

This would mean big advances in productions that could attend the venue, including touring plays and musicals. Work would also see the venue become fully accessible throughout, add two additional boutique spaces which could potentially be a cinema/studio plus an additional cinema. The venue would also see purpose-built studios created, with an improved community ‘café hub’ and separate restaurant areas.

The Executive Committee were due to discuss whether to agree in principle to progress the development of the project and the underwriting of the total net project costs, up to £23.01m.

If councillors agree the plan it will go to the Executive Committee for approval, and then the Octagon can apply to funders that would reduce the amount required from the council. The theatre has been entertaining audiences since 1974 and attracts many visitors from far and wide – last year 125,000 tickets were sold, while thousands more took part in one of the weekly classes held there.

Councillor Mike Best, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “Potentially, this could be a massive investment within South Somerset, making this premier venue even more attractive to visitors and also performers; so we really could open up the market for attracting bigger and better performances here in the South West. This is a key decision for my fellow councillors to make because of the large investment, but a project plan and the finances involved have been scrutinised by everyone so far involved in the project. The project has the potential to pay for itself over time and not cost the taxpayer a penny. This really could mark a major investment for the local area, with wide-reaching benefits for our communities across the region.”

Councillor Peter Seib, portfolio holder for finance, added: “The Octagon is a fantastic draw, bringing visitors in from across the region whilst delivering huge social value by supporting many local performance groups. However, the theatre urgently needs a significant amount of money spending on repairs just to stay open and it is reliant on council taxpayer subsidy.”

“What is proposed is a step- change investment to transform the offer, bringing national touring shows and competing with major centres like Bristol whilst still keeping its local arts scene focus. An enlarged Octagon would be highly sustainable and would operate free of council subsidy even at pricing appropriate to local residents and user groups.”

“We are fighting town centre decline across the district caused by the collapse of shop-based retail, and the long-term effects of covid. A new, distinctive and defining cultural offer would counter that, bringing more visitors in, and enhancing the area’s attractiveness to inward investors looking to re-locate their business, and their family, to South Somerset. “In many ways, this type of investment defines the place- making role of a district council, responding creatively to local economic needs.”