Bosses at Wilkes Academy have responded positively to the possibility of using the Wyvern Theatre for performances after it is replaced by a new venue .

Swindon Borough Council’s Labour administration is advancing plans to build a new much bigger theatre and concert venue on the current Kimmerfields bus station site as the Wyvern is too small and ageing poorly.

But as part of a wider ambition for the town centre, named ‘Heart of Swindon’, council leader Jim Robbins, said it might be possible that the drama and music college based in West Swindon uses the Wyvern for its performances

It could possibly even move into the town centre away from its current base at Westmead Industrial Estate on Westmead Drive.

Cllr Robbins said: “The Academy is in my ward of Mannington & Western, and I love having it there.

“But more objectively, it seems perhaps a bit off to have hundreds of performing arts students stuck out in an industrial estate in West Swindon.

“I think there’s an opportunity to look at whether the Academy can use some of our buildings in the town centre.”

That might also be facilitated by the desire of the Labour administration to create more housing in the town centre, including more student accommodation.

This would help it achieve one of its aims is to create a ‘learning zone’ near the railway station to attract universities to site campuses and institutes in Swindon, as Oxford Brooks, the Royal Agricultural University, and Oxford and Bath Universities already do.

Sara Mills, Vice Principal at Wilkes Academy, was positive about the idea.

She said: “Wilkes Academy is very proud to have had a home in Swindon for over 13 years and we are delighted to be invited to be a part of this project to help shape the draft vision for the ‘Heart of Swindon’.

"Wilkes Academy is passionate about delivering high-quality university education for those wanting to enter the performing arts industry and we are seeing increasing success stories from our graduates.

“We have nearly 500 students completing a degree in musical theatre each year and the majority of students come to Swindon from around the UK to receive this specialist education."

Ms Mills added: "Due to significant growth in applications to Wilkes Academy, we are very excited about the potential of exploring a new base that will enhance our provision but also hopefully provide a positive contribution to plans for Swindon town centre.”

The wider Heart of Swindon plan is the subject of further Let’s Talk Swindon consultation events to be carried out this month. See swindon.gov.uk for details.

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