Plans to revamp the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil face further delays, with the final business case unable to be submitted to the government until planning permission is granted—likely not before late 2026. Originally, Somerset Council proposed a £30 million refurbishment of the theatre, which was temporarily closed in April 2023. However, the project was paused in October 2023 due to rising inflation and interest rates.
The council is now pursuing a scaled-back £15 million redevelopment. Yeovil Town Council approved a loan of approximately £3.3 million in early October to ensure the project is fully funded. A critical central government grant of £10 million from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), secured in March 2021 with support from Arts Council England, forms the bulk of the budget.
Yeovil Town Council, which will ultimately manage the theatre, plans to contribute nearly £4 million to the project budget, with over £3.3 million borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB). This loan will be repaid through a 3.3% increase in the town council’s share of council tax, amounting to around 22p extra per week for local residents. Additional funding will come from local housing development contributions, fundraising, and other grants.
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The decision to proceed with the loan followed a summer consultation that revealed a slim majority support for the project, although many residents opposed the associated rise in council tax. Theatre manager Adam Burgan expressed relief at moving forward, emphasizing the theatre’s vital role in Yeovil’s cultural life for over 50 years and the need to address longstanding building issues to prevent further closures.
Somerset Council is currently completing detailed design work, aiming to submit an outline business case to the government before Christmas. However, the final business case, required for government approval and the release of funding, will only be submitted once planning permission for the revised project has been obtained, potentially delaying reopening until 2028 or 2029.
A council spokesperson explained that partnership with DCMS and Arts Council England continues as design work advances. Planning permission and contractor selection will pave the way for the final business case submission at the technical design stage, expected by the end of 2026, after which construction can begin.