The Wyvern Theatre is set to be closed in 2027, and the race is on to have a replacement venue in the town centre ready.

This is according to a report to Swindon Borough Councils’ Labour cabinet.

Swindon Borough Council's cabinet has been asked to approve a plan for a new venue which will be situated on the former bus station site when that is demolished. 

The driver for the new venue plan is the age and condition of the Wyvern Theatre, but also to help the regeneration of the town centre near the railway station - a significant part of the council’s plans for the borough.

But with that date allegedly set for three years away, according to a report to the cabinet, there is little time to waste

An outline business case which will be put to the cabinet, written by consultant Julian Russell says: “Drawing inspiration from successful contemporary entertainment venues combining cutting-edge architecture with adaptable, high-capacity spaces such as the ABBA Arena, the project aims to create a flexible and adaptable venue with a capacity of 1,200 seated or 1,800 mixed standing/seated.

“Early indication strongly suggested that this model could be affordable, via a funding partnership with the operator market, while retaining all the optimal technical capabilities and visitor experience requirements.”

The risks in the business case include higher costs for constructing such a modular building, but that can be offset by a quicker construction process.

There is a concern that such modular installations don’t last as long as traditional buildings: “While contemporary entertainment venue structures can last for at least 20 years, some materials (like tensile fabric roofing or lightweight steel) may wear faster than traditional materials like brick and mortar.”

But crucially, this business case adds that the new building can be ready sooner than a traditionally built theatre: “The contemporary entertainment venue option is ideal for the Kimmerfields site in Swindon due to its quicker assembly time and flexibility, ensuring that a new venue can be operational by the closure of the Wyvern Theatre in mid-2027.”

A different document states that the option of keeping the Wyvern open would likely need substantial capital investment for re-servicing (estimated at £20m in 2020) if it is to continue to operate as a theatre over the longer term. 

It adds: "A do-minimum refit of the Wyvern could be undertaken for c £5-10m as a shorter-term measure to keep the building going for up to the next 10 years."

The cabinet meets at 6pm on Wednesday, November 13.

Help support trusted local news

Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/

As a digital subscriber, you will get:            

  • Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website        
  • Advert-light access             
  • Reader rewards             
  • Full access to our app