"Significant blow to our community" as Titchfield Festival Theatre closes after being forced into administration

Titchfield Festival Theatre has closed after being forced into administration, The News understands.

Community groups who used the venue have launched a desperate scramble to find alternative options after the shock closure. It 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.

Titchfield Youth Theatre is among the groups affected by the decision, leaving it with no space for its weekly sessions and forcing the cancellation of its Konfusions show. Titchfield Festival Youth Theatre, another youth group which used the space, is cancelling its Wizard of Oz production and showcase events.

A statement from the Titchfield Youth Theatre team said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the news that Titchfield Festival Theatre (TFT) has been forced into administration and has closed immediately. Having been part of TFT for nearly 20 years, we have always felt fully supported by them.

“Their closure now leaves Titchfield Youth Theatre (TYT), together with the other Youth Theatre that runs their sessions there, and especially all of our TYT young actors without a venue for our weekly Saturday sessions and the wonderful different spaces that TFT provided where they could perform their plays”

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 issue was the subject of a planning appeal in which the independent planning inspector sided with the council which had taken enforcement action. However earlier this year the court set that decision aside on a legal point forcing the matter to be considered by another inspector at a later date.

The news has been described as ‘a significant blow to our community’ by Fareham Borough councillor David Hamilton which he said also follows recent losses of other arts venues in the borough including the Ashcroft Centre and Westbury Manor Museum

The Liberal Democrat, who is the opposition leader, said: “Titchfield Festival Theatre has been a hugely important part of our local cultural life for many years. It has brought people together, provided opportunities for performers, and offered something genuinely special for audiences across Fareham and beyond. To lose that entirely would be a real body blow to our community.

“My thoughts are especially with the volunteers, staff and everyone who has worked so hard to build Titchfield Festival Theatre into what it is today. Their dedication has created something the whole community can be proud of, and that contribution should not be underestimated.

“I’ve attended shows there myself and know just how much it means to local people. It’s not just a venue—it’s part of the fabric of our community.

“We have reached out directly to the theatre’s trustees to understand the situation fully. While we need to be realistic about the challenges, we are keen to explore whether there is any way to preserve the site, the performances, or elements of what makes the theatre so valuable.

“There will be a strong feeling locally that we should do everything possible to retain as much of Titchfield Festival Theatre as we can. It has been a real asset to Fareham, and I hope that, in some form, its legacy can continue.

“At this stage, we need clear information about what is happening, but what is already clear is how much this theatre matters to local people.”

Fareham Borough Council leader Simon Martin said the news was “obviously sad” if it were to be confirmed but said he was still waiting for official information as “we don't know the full details yet”.

He said: “It is always sad when any venue like this closes and if it is true then of course Fareham Live will do all they can to help the community groups affected by this.”

The Conservative councillor also added that if the TFT had not spent funds fighting the planning enforcement at the courts then “this may not have happened”.

According to the Charity Commission, TFT is overdue on its financial reporting by 729 days and it has opened a statutory inquiry into the theatre examining the administration, governance, and management of the charity. The investigation is still ongoing.

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
• 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