DONATION FROM LOCAL DEVELOPER IS JUST THE TICKET FOR WHITEHILL & BORDON THEATRE

The Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre in Whitehill & Bordon, Hampshire has received a donation of £10,000 from Annington, the company responsible for refurbishing former MOD properties in the town. The vital injection of funding has allowed the community-focused theatre to complete essential electrical works, with the result that the Theatre will reopen its doors Tuesday 1 June to launch a Festival of Film which will run until July.

The theatre is an important arts venue and community asset in Hampshire, which over the years has hosted numerous famous faces including Jo Brand, Alan Carr, and Romesh Ranganathan. In addition to the 100-seat theatre, the Centre provides vital space for local charities and community groups.

Forced to close in March 2020, the Theatre began a much-needed essential maintenance programme of the Edwardian building in which it is housed. However, as work progressed, significant issues with the theatre’s electrical system came to light and with no surplus funds available, the Theatre’s planned reopening looked in doubt.

The donation from Annington means that the theatre has been able to complete the electrical work. Surplus funding has been spent on installing a new dance floor as well as covering the costs of fully redecorating the auditorium plus two additional studios. Alongside being a centre for arts activities, the studios will be available for community use, and have already been earmarked as a location to provide first aid courses, with one studio becoming the regional base for a local care centre group.

Rob Allerston, Director at The Phoenix commented: “At a time when theatres across the country are on their knees, we cannot thank Annington enough for helping us back onto our feet. The Phoenix is the only venue of its kind in Whitehill & Bordon and the wider district, so closing down was just not an option for us. The community needs The Phoenix, and the support we have received is unbelievable – tickets to our reopening night and upcoming events are selling fantastically well.”

Jane Harsham, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Annington adds “We are in the process of refurbishing over 200 former MoD properties in Whitehill & Bordon and in doing so are helping create a flourishing new community. The Phoenix sits at the heart of that community and we are proud to be able ensure that the theatre can reopen its doors this summer and look forward to its ongoing success.”