Exciting new plans revealed this week could see Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre double in size and be relocated to a new Cultural Quarter at the Kimmerfields site.
The new plans are set to be discussed at the Council’s Cabinet next Wednesday, 21st October, which as well as the relocation of the Wyvern will see new homes for Swindon Dance, Prime Theatre and Create Studios and also is expected to become the new home for Swindon’s Museum and Art Gallery.
The plans for the Cultural Quarter are expected to come to fruition over the next 10 years and include, among other things, a new theatre, dance centre, digital media and arts hub and new facilities to display Swindon’s nationally-significant art collection.
The £80million redevelopment plans, if agreed next week, will be progressed through a partnership approach that brings together the town, the arts sector, diverse public and private sector stakeholders and funding bodies to develop and sustain a long-term cultural offer of internationally recognised scale and quality for all the people of Swindon.
Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, Culture and Heritage, said: “When I took over as cabinet member, I made it clear to everyone that there needed to be a focus on fewer, more impactful projects that will make a visible difference to Swindon, and that change doesn’t happen overnight.
“The pieces of the jigsaw are slowly fitting together, with cranes and diggers now on site for the first new office development in 20 years, imminent decisions for £50 million of funding bids for the town centre, a refurbished Health Hydro, completion of the fantastic Carriage Works regeneration, new Hampton by Hilton and Premier Inn hotels and much more. Now is the time to present plans for a new Cultural Quarter and build on Swindon’s momentum to ensure that, by 2030, we will see a very different town centre.
“Cabinet’s ambition is to see the building of a new Wyvern Theatre with capacity doubled to 1,200 seats, which will attract the best national and regional shows and performers for residents to enjoy. We also want to deliver a new museum and art gallery that proudly displays Swindon’s nationally recognised collection of artefacts and exhibits.
“If approved by Cabinet next week, the next six months will see focus placed on writing the financial business case and investment prospectus, for the £80m needed to bring the Culture Quarter to life. This is a fantastic opportunity for Swindon and we must grasp it with both hands.”
An economic impact assessment has concluded that the Cultural Quarter could add more than £35m a year to Swindon’s economy and could create as many as 1,200 jobs for the town.
Viv Slayford, Artistic Director at Swindon Dance, said: “Swindon Dance has been based in the town hall for over 40 years, and while the building has been the bedrock to our early development it is now a cap on our future growth.
“Moving to the Cultural Quarter will give us the space and facilities to continue to grow and prosper across all areas of our work – professional and non-professional, local and international. It will also enable us to work with Swindon’s other cultural organisations to kick start the town’s economy and bring the passion and heart back to our town centre.
“Swindon Dance has a national and international reputation for developing young and professional talent in the dance world, supporting the growth of the art-form on the international stage and for making quality dance projects accessible to our local community regardless of a persons’ background.”
