Investigation still underway into the management of the now-closed Titchfield Festival Theatre

An investigation is still underway into the management of the now-closed Titchfield Festival Theatre, The Charity Commission has confirmed.

The TFT is overdue on its financial reporting by 730 days and the commission had opened a statutory inquiry into the theatre. In this, it has been examining the administration, governance, and management of the charity which told members of Monday that it was closing as a result of being in ‘unviable financial position’.

The Charity Commission has confirmed the investigation is still ongoing but told The News it cannot disclose further information about the inquiry while it is ongoing.

It added: “However it is the Commission’s usual policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what regulatory actions were taken, the outcomes and conclusions.”

It is believed the investigation began after a complaint about the charity’s activities was received in May 2024.

Meanwhile community groups who used the venue are continuing in their desperate scramble to find alternative options after the shock closure. The news follows a long-running planning row and court battle over the largest theatre which was built without planning permission.

In a message sent to theatre members, which has been seen by The News, chairman Christopher Milburn said the theatre was left in an ‘unviable financial position’ which had forced the decision.

“With huge regret I have to announce that due to our unviable financial position we have ceased trading,” it said. “This means there will be no further shows at TFT or The Barn. All rehearsals are cancelled.

“I am sorry that we have had to take this decision but sadly there was no option.”

Despite the message, the theatre has made no statement on its social media and its website continues to operate, with attempts by The News to contact the theatre also going unanswered. Individual shows on the venue’s website are also showing as cancelled when you try to book tickets.

Timeline of events

• 2001 - Titchfield Festival Theatre is established, initially performing at Titchfield Abbey, before eventually moving to its current home on St Margarets Lane and developing this site
• May 2023 - Fareham Borough Council becomes aware that a new 450-seat theatre had been constructed in the buildings behind the Oak Theatre and the Acorn Studio (the latter two being previously approved)
• November 2023 - The council issues a planning enforcement notice against the Arden Theatre, with TFT appealing against this arguing it does not breach planning rules
• May 2024 - A public planning inquiry is held by the independent Planning Inspectorate
• May 2024 - Charity Commission receives a complaint about the TFT’s activities
• August 2024 - The planning inspector dismisses the appeal and upholds the planning enforcement notice, ordering the theatre stop this use within two months
• November 2024 - TFT brings a legal challenge against the Planning Inspectorate’s decision in the High Court arguing the Planning Inspectorate made errors of law when dismissing the appeal
• April 2025 - The High Court dismisses the legal challenge in full and upholds the Planning Inspectorate's decision. TFT takes its case to the Court of Appeal
• November 2025 - The Charity Commission opens a statutory inquiry into Titchfield Festival Theatre Limited
• March 2026 - The Court of Appeal finds both the Planning Inspectorate and the High Court Judge erred in law and quashes the inspector’s decision from 2024. This means the original appeal against the planning enforcement notice must be reconsidered by a different planning inspector
• April 2026 - TFT trustees send a message to members informing them that the venue has ceased trading