Gosport Criterion: Future of derelict theatre to be decided amid row over cost to borough council
The future of Gosport’s long-closed Criterion theatre, which was bought by the borough council, could be decided this week
Gosport’s long‑shuttered Criterion Theatre has been condemned as a “symbol of political failure” and a waste of taxpayers’ money.
The future of the underused building in Forton Road will be decided at the council’s policy and organisation board on Wednesday.
It comes four years after the former bingo hall was purchased by the previous Liberal Democrat administration, with the aim of it becoming a multi‑purpose entertainment venue. It has stood empty ever since.
Conservative council leader Zoe Huggins BEM said the project was billed as a “flagship cultural aspiration” but was “highly ambitious” and bought without a fully developed or fully costed business plan, even though valuation advice was obtained beforehand.
Since then, rising construction costs and “significant design challenges” have “materially increased the capital required to deliver any viable scheme”, Cllr Huggins said.
The building currently generates no income, but it has already swallowed more than £1million of public money since it was bought in 2022.
Gosport Conservatives said the empty building has been costing residents around £2,000 a month and branded it a “money pit”.
Under Cllr Peter Chegwyn’s leadership, the Criterion was bought for £600,000, despite having sold for £400,000 just months earlier.
He was approached for a comment by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Ahead of the decision, Reform UK councillors have blasted the scheme and said it has “wasted taxpayers’ money”.
Group leader Cllr Paul Carter branded it a “political failure” and said: “It’s now time to draw a line under this costly project, recover as much public money as possible, and ensure the best outcome for the residents of Gosport.
“Our priority must be protecting taxpayers and restoring confidence in how public money is spent.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Paul Jacobs said the Criterion was “one of the biggest reasons” he entered politics.
He said: “Over £1m was wasted by the Liberal Democrats, which could have been spent on so many other projects to benefit residents”.
He added that Reform UK members on the policy and organisation board would “be voting towards decisions in the best interests of residents and their council tax.”
Councillors will make a decision on the future of the building on Wednesday, July 1.