Criterion theatre in Gosport goes on sale after costing borough council more than £1m
The controversial Criterion theatre plan is coming to an end after the building was put up for sale
The troubled Criterion Theatre is officially on the market a month after councillors voted to sell it.
“For sale” signs have gone up outside the former bingo hall in Forton Road, Gosport, which has stood empty for several years.
Reform councillor James Figgins said the move marked the end of what he branded a Liberal Democrat “vanity project” that has cost taxpayers more than £1.1m.
Gosport Borough Council agreed in July to dispose of the Forton Road site, which was bought for £600,000 in 2022 by the previous Liberal Democrat administration.
Cllr Figgins, who represents Forton, said: “I’m really pleased to see the Criterion now up for sale. This is an exciting opportunity for Gosport that, with the right investment and vision, could bring a real boost to our town.”
He added: “We can finally say goodbye to the Liberal Democrats’ vanity project. I was really pleased to be a part of Reform UK voting to sell the building, as it was one of the reasons I got into politics.”
The empty bingo hall was earmarked to become a multi-purpose entertainment venue, but the project never got off the ground. It has generated no income during council ownership and has cost more than £1m, once professional fees, works and ongoing bills are included.
Cllr Figgins said residents had repeatedly raised the future of the building with him.
He said: “I hope they are also pleased it is now up for sale and that the theatre project, which would have cost the people of Gosport millions of pounds, has been cancelled. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.”
The authority’s ruling Conservative administration proposed the sale of the building, and the decision was voted for by councillors last month.
Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM, Conservative leader of the council, said she could not justify further spending while facing a £3.3m structural deficit.
The Criterion was purchased under then-Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Peter Chegwyn, despite having sold for about £400,000 only months earlier.
Cllr Chegwyn has maintained that “no council taxpayers’ money” was spent on the theatre scheme itself, though he accepted the building would need substantial investment.
Cllr Huggins last month said the acquisition went ahead without a fully developed or costed business plan, despite valuation advice having been obtained beforehand.