Southampton secures funds from Arts Council England for new arts complex

28 July 2010

Southampton is celebrating after being awarded £7.2million from the Arts Council England to build a new arts complex in the centre of the city.

An additional allocation of £1.5million agreed last week, on top of the £5.7million originally offered to the scheme, will support a number of essential changes to the project, including the re-design and relocation of the gallery to the ground floor. Southampton City Council and Arts Council England will continue to work closely together and in the coming weeks will be finalising the details of the new funding agreement.

The new arts complex, to be built by developers Grosvenor as part of an overall development on the site of the former Tyrrell and Green building in Southampton’s, Guildhall Square, will be at the heart of the city’s emerging cultural quarter and provide the city with a high quality arts offer which will galvanise Southampton’s position as an important cultural hub. The overall development is expected to create around 300 direct jobs and assist in attracting considerable investment and visitor numbers to Southampton.

Councillor John Hannides, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Heritage, said: “This is the news we have all been waiting for. The new arts complex will be a fantastic addition to the emerging Cultural Quarter of the city. This capital project has been developed over a significant period with a range of arts organisations. It will be a place where the arts can thrive and be celebrated, and I am delighted that our residents can now look forward to this being built in the city.”

Councillor Royston Smith, Leader of the Council, said: “Despite the current economic climate, Southampton has defied the odds by remaining on course to build a new Cultural Quarter in the city, and create new jobs for our residents.

“As well as the emerging Cultural Quarter, we are on course for a massive new retail centre with Watermark WestQuay, as well as a new waterfront development at the city’s Royal Pier. These are extremely difficult times for everyone, but Southampton is setting an example of how local authorities can create jobs and investment by bringing new and exciting developments to the area.”

Commenting on the grant awarded for the arts complex, Alex Robinson, Development Manager of Grosvenor Developments said: “We are delighted that this exciting scheme is moving forward positively. It has taken much consultation with the many parties involved, but now we can look ahead. This scheme will bring enormous benefits to the local community. Grosvenor is proud to be in the position to deliver it.”

Sally Abbott, Regional Director, Arts Council England adds: “This is good news for Southampton, for the local community and the region as whole. Arts Council has been committed to supporting Southampton and the development of its arts provision. The new arts complex aims to encourage increased access and participation in the arts amongst the local community and will contribute to the city and the region’s cultural offer and economy. We will continue working closely with the City Council and the University of Southampton to finalise the way forward.”

The University of Southampton, a member of the arts complex project team over the past decade, has also warmly welcomed the funding announcement. Registrar and Chief Operating Officer for the University of Southampton, Simon Higman, commented: “The Arts Council investment is excellent news for Southampton and will enable the University to showcase some of our excellent arts provision right in the heart of the city centre.”

The new arts complex will form a major part of the Cultural Quarter in Southampton, alongside the Sea City Museum, which is set to open in 2012, and the newly refurbished Guildhall Square which is set to open soon.

Image shows: An indicative representation of the proposed New Arts Complex
Image caption: CZWG

For more information:

Contact: Communications Unit, Southampton City Council, Civic Centre Southampton, SO14 7LY
Tel: 023 8083 2000
Email: communications@southampton.gov.uk