Ferneham Hall is closed for remodelling!

Ferneham Hall is now closed to be remodelled into an exciting new Community Arts and Entertainment venue.

The Council's Executive Committee agreed to restart work on Fareham's new arts and entertainment venue, after being on pause for ten months. The Council has agreed to increase the budget allocated for the works, from £12.57m to £13.35m. This is to allow for an increase in construction costs, and higher costs in the entertainment industry as it recovers from the impact of Covid-19. It is expected that construction works will start in Spring/Summer 2022 with the anticipated launch of Fareham Live by the end of 2023.

A new name

A public consultation launched on Monday 17 August, which ran for 4 weeks, asking people to choose a name for the new venue.

Four names were put forward and the public was asked to vote for their favourite:

A - The Kiln, Fareham

B - The Quay, Fareham

C - The Tannery, Fareham

D - Fareham Live

The new name was agreed by the Council's Executive on Monday 12th October 2020.

'Fareham Live' was the winning name, accounting for almost half (49%) of the 1060 responses.

What will the new venue offer?

• A bigger main theatre with more comfortable seating
• Improved stage and backstage areas to support high quality performances
• A flexible smaller secondary performance space
• A flexible studio space
• A new bar and café area
• Spaces for community groups and organisations to hire

Who will operate the new building?

BH Live will be the new operator for the building and will manage the venue on behalf of Fareham Borough Council when it is expected to reopen in 2023.

They will deliver an exciting line up of performances and events to suit a range of tastes for the community to enjoy.

BH Live is a leading operator of leisure and event venues; a social enterprise that designs and builds engaging experiences to inspire people and enrich lives.

They manage 17 venues, leisure centres and attractions across Dorset, Hampshire and London. These include Bournemouth International Centre, Portsmouth Pyramids and Fairfield Halls (Croydon).

If you would like to discuss any business opportunities, please contact business.development@bhlive.org.uk

For more information about BH Live please visit their website .

Previous press releases

1 October 2021 Fareham Live - End of Intermission!

3 November 2020 Council presses pause on Fareham's new arts and entertainment venue

13 October 2020 - And the name of Fareham's new arts and entertainment venue is ...

14 August 2020 - Your chance to #NameNewVenue for Fareham

15 May 2020 - Ferneham Hall plans given green light at Council's first virtual Planning Committee meeting

30 January 2020 - Planning application received to remodel Ferneham Hall

07 January 2020 - It's not the final curtain - it's an extended intermission!

09 October 2019 – Operator announced for remodelled Ferneham Hall

27 September 2019 - Proposed new design for Ferneham Hall

21 December 2018 – Ferneham Hall plans revised

17 September 2018 – Final call to comment on Vision for new venue

29 June 2018 – Ferneham Hall to be transformed

More information

For more information about the project please contact the Leisure and Community Team on 01329 236100 or email leisure@fareham.gov.uk