Alexandra Theatre Frequently Asked Questions 

1.     How is the rejuvenation being funded and delivered?

In September 2022 Arun District Council voted to approve an additional budget of £3 million to add to the £12.19million of Levelling Up Funds allocated for the Alexandra Theatre’s rejuvenation, bringing the total budget to over £15million. Further additional contingency sums have since been approved of up to £3 million. 

As part of the regeneration of the wider Regis Centre site and to deliver the improved theatre, the Council also secured the early surrender of the long lease of the Regis Centre from Whitbread PLC, which includes the former Brewers Fayre restaurant / pub and Alexandra Theatre.  

2.     Is the theatre being knocked down and re-built?

The plans will rejuvenate and extend the existing theatre, without the need to fully demolish and rebuild the existing building, albeit the western section is being removed and rebuilt to house the new cafe and double height foyer space and new studio areas, and the northern section to accommodate a new management office suite & part studio areas.  

Once completed in 2026, the new theatre will provide 2,700sqm of arts/cultural floorspace, including 1,455sqm of new and reprovisioned floorspace. 

3.     Is it considered that 386 seats in the new theatre is the optimum number?

The size of and number of seats in the main auditorium is considered optimum to viably deliver the theatre rejuvenation plan, based on the business case submitted to secure the £12.19million of LUF funding. 

In addition to the enhanced main auditorium, the five new studios will be able to accommodate theatre seating and screening, alongside the potential for audio / visual connection to the main auditorium, allowing access for larger audiences in the centre to watch keynote theatre performances (up to 725 seats across the auditorium and these five studios in total). Specifically, two new fully equipped performance studios will be able to also host independent shows, meaning potential to have multiple shows being run simultaneously. 

4.    What will happen to the former Brewers Fayre restaurant and pub?

The District Council has also been working on feasibility designs for the second stage of the long-term regeneration plans for the former Brewers Fayre building. We know how much interest there is in this site, and we are considering a range of exciting options for its long-term regeneration. We intend to update the community on these plans in the near future. 

5.    Will the rejuvenation result in more events being held at the theatre?

Yes, the enhanced theatre is projected to see an increase in audiences from an average of 47,000 to 55,000 per annum and there will be a broader range of events and exhibitions in the multifunctional gallery space and studios. 

Investment in the new theatre will also provide the opportunity for it to be used as a conference and events facility to meet unmet local demand.

6.    Will the cafeteria / bar and meeting rooms/studios be open for members of the public to use? 

Yes, similarly to the previous theatre café, the new theatre facilities will be available to the public. Meeting rooms/studios will also be available to hire for use. 

7.    How tall will the redeveloped theatre be?

The new build elements of the west side of the theatre will be of similar height to the roof ridge of the existing main auditorium (11.7 metres).

8.    How much additional space will be provided?

The rejuvenation project will provide 1,455 square metres of new and reprovisioned floor space. This will include the enlarged 386-seat main auditorium, five new studios and enlarged foyer with new café / bar. 

9.    How will the site be accessed and will there be increased parking?

The site vehicle access (entrance to the parking from Belmont Street) and existing car park will be unchanged. Similarly, existing pedestrian access points will also remain in place.

10.    What employment opportunities will be made available? 

A key vision for the theatre is to create new jobs and retain existing ones. New jobs include within the theatre itself, café/, bar/catering, as well as during the construction period on the building. The project will also secure the long-term economic future for prime sea front jobs as more visitors are encouraged to the area.

11.     Will the new theatre have accessibility measures and what will these be? 

A range of measures are being introduced as part of the rejuvenation to ensure that the theatre is accessible to all. These include adding integrated wheelchair positions in the middle of the auditorium and throughout, providing a selection of positions to choose from, more legroom in the auditorium, a fully accessible foyer with exhibition space, connected by one  passenger lift, new ramped access within the sound lock lobby and more.

12.    How will carbon emissions be reduced?

As part of our commitment to sustainability, we are committed to delivering carbon net zero in advance of the 2050 government guidelines. This includes using some low embodied carbon materials, reducing carbon emissions from the built environment and employing a fabric first approach to insulation.

13.    Are solar panels part of the proposals? 

We are pleased to be exploring the potential for solar (photovoltaic) panels to new roof areas. These details are still in the process of being confirmed as part of the sustainability strategy and subject to adequate roof space and loading being available.

14.    How long will construction take? 

Construction started in 2024, and the new theatre is expected to open in mid-2026.

The Arcade Frequently Asked Questions

1.    How would the proposed regeneration be funded and delivered? 

Arun District Council was awarded £628,000 from the Brownfield Land Release Fund. This funding was secured to allow for crucial enabling work to be undertaken, allowing for the Arcade’s wider regeneration subject to further detailed ongoing design and cost planning. 

2.    Would The Arcade need to be demolished and re-built? 

Our proposals would refurbish the original Arcade building structure, without the need to demolish it. The more recent single storey extension facing Belmont Street would be removed as part of the regeneration plans and the adjacent entrance area to the arcade removed and remodelled in part (this is not original and was added in the c.1950s).  

The eastern wing of The Arcade would have one new storey built above the current first floor. This wing previously had two floors on it, until where one was lost to fire in 1930, so this would restore this floor and reinstate with a contemporary take on original design. 

3.    What will happen to the existing tenants of The Arcade while construction is ongoing? 

The existing tenants will continue to trade as usual whilst construction takes place. The Council will be in regular dialogue with tenants to consider appropriate solutions to minimise any disruption during this period.  

4.    What employment opportunities will be made available? 

The regeneration plans include the potential for additional retail space to be created (subject to viability) within The Arcade, fronting Belmont Street. This new space would create new employment opportunities. There would also be an opportunity for local contractors to be involved in the construction process. 

It is also anticipated that greater footfall will be generated from residents living above and wider interest in the rejuvenated arcade which may well mean further employment opportunities within the arcade units due to intensification of use.   

5.    Will the new proposals have accessibility measures? 

The ground floor shops and facilities are accessible and this would be maintained. The new and refurbished upper floors would be compliant with relevant accessibility legislation where possible.  

6.    What sustainability features would the regenerated building include? 

Arun District Council are assessing a range of potential sustainability measures to ensure that the regenerated Arcade is contributing to addressing climate change. 

For example, the completed enabling work has ensured that the historic building is much more efficient in terms of insulation and heat retention, helping to save energy use. The scheme also includes the potential for solar panels on the new east wing roof. 

7.     Has planning permission been granted for The Arcade’s regeneration? 

Arun District Council’s regeneration team has not yet submitted a planning application for consideration. We will soon be launching an engagement period to present our proposals to the community, before submitting a planning application to the council later in Spring 2025..