Questions remain over future of Titchfield Festival Theatre after its shock closure leaving many out of pocket

Questions remain over the future of the now-closed Titchfield Festival Theatre which has left community groups to find a new home and theatre-goers out of pocket.

TFT has closed after being forced into administration as a result of its ‘unviable financial position’, leaving community groups who used the venue with a desperate scramble to find alternative options after the shock closure.

The closure followed a long-running planning row and court battle over the largest theatre which was built without planning permission, and after The Charity Commission launched an investigation into the management of the charity which runs it.

Since the closure, Fareham Borough Council has said that it has offered support to those involved.

In a statement it said: “Officers from Fareham Borough Council have offered support relating to meeting locations and storage options for the Fareham’s Men’s Shed group, who were leasing a space at the theatre.

“Officers have also put together a list of possible alternative venues for any groups that have been displaced. This information is available upon request to [email protected].”

While some community groups have found somewhere new to move to, customers who had booked tickets for shows have contacted The News to say they have been unable to get a refund or speak to anyone. This is most likely due to the venue’s finances being tied up in the administration process.

Despite the closure, the theatre’s social media page has made no statement about the closure and its website also makes no mention of a closure other than to say that shows are cancelled when you go to book.

However hand-made posters have been placed inside the venue asking for it to be saved, with the much-loved venue an important part of the local community.

While many questions remain over the future of the site, with the property thought to become an asset managed by the administrator to repay creditors, there is also uncertainty over the ongoing planning appeal into the enforcement action against the unauthorised larger Arden Theatre.

As previously reported by The News, the TFT has been at the centre of a long-running dispute with Fareham Borough Council after a new 450-seat theatre was constructed in the buildings behind the Oak Theatre and the Acorn Studio without planning permission.

The independent Planning Inspectorate was expected to hold a second planning inquiry into the issue after the court set aside the outcome of the first inquiry as a result of a legal issue.

However, while Fareham Borough Council still has the power to issue enforcement notices to remedy unlawful development the administration process dictates how and when these actions can proceed.

The council has said it is awaiting details of the next stage of the process. It said: “The council acknowledges the judgment of the Court of Appeal not to uphold the decision of the Planning Inspector and the High Court.

“The matter has now been referred back to the Planning Inspectorate, and the council is awaiting details from them of when the appeal against the planning enforcement notice will be heard.”

Meanwhile The Charity Commission has confirmed the statutory inquiry into the TFT’s administration, governance, and management is still ongoing. The venue’s accounts are overdue by more than 700 days.

No-one has Titchfield Festival Theatre has answered approaches from The News.