The future of Westlands, Yeovil’s prominent entertainment venue, hangs in the balance amid uncertainty surrounding a critical government contract for helicopter production. Owned freehold by Leonardo, Westlands has played a vital role as the town’s cultural hub, especially during the ongoing £15 million refurbishment of the Octagon Theatre.
Leonardo remains the sole contender for a long-delayed £1 billion Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract to produce new medium helicopters, essential for the UK’s future defence capabilities. However, the MoD’s repeated postponements have raised concerns over the potential closure of Leonardo’s Yeovil operations and, by extension, the fate of Westlands.
Local officials are sounding the alarm. Somerset Council’s communities scrutiny committee recently addressed these worries, with Councillor Andy Kendall expressing unease about the rumours suggesting Leonardo might end its lease on the Westlands site. “Are we ready for that?” he questioned.
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Chris Hall, Executive Director for Community, Place and and Economy at Somerset Council, acknowledged the complexities: “Leonardo owns the freehold, with Yeovil Town Council operating under a lease. The contract’s outcome is uncertain, but Westlands is a thriving, modern facility currently benefiting the community significantly. We would certainly engage with Leonardo to preserve this essential provision.”
Echoing these sentiments, Yeovil MP Adam Dance emphasized the broader implications in a Westminster Hall debate on February 11. He stated, “If the helicopter programme does not proceed, Leonardo may have to reconsider the future of the Yeovil site. This would trigger profound losses, starting with the £1.2 million investment into Yeovil College, a crucial source of skilled workers for our defence sector, and extend to the potential closure of Westlands.”
Dance warned of devastating local consequences: “It will be the death of my town. Local businesses could close overnight. Property values would decline, and the young talent trained here might leave.”
Meanwhile, the council is progressing with the Octagon Theatre’s regeneration, with revised plans scheduled for debate on February 24, aiming to secure Yeovil’s cultural future despite these challenges.