Ferneham Hall in Fareham to be renamed - and here are the four options

A POPULAR live entertainment venue in Fareham is to be renamed in time for its major redevelopment – and residents can have their say.
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Ferneham Hall, in Osborn Road, closed earlier this year to undergo a £12.35m redevelopment over the next two years, after which it will reopen with a terrace bar, increased theatre seating – and a new name.

The four proposed names are The Quay Fareham, The Kiln Fareham, The Tannery Fareham, and Fareham Live.

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The name ‘Ferneham’ will be retained as a name for a room or area within the venue, but Councillor Roger Price said he was ‘very disappointed’ that it hadn’t made the shortlist.

An earlier CGI mock-up of the redevelopment venue, with a place holder name sign. Picture: Fareham Borough CouncilAn earlier CGI mock-up of the redevelopment venue, with a place holder name sign. Picture: Fareham Borough Council
An earlier CGI mock-up of the redevelopment venue, with a place holder name sign. Picture: Fareham Borough Council
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Addressing a meeting of the council’s executive earlier this month, Cllr Price said: ‘It do think it should be one of the names that goes out to the public.

‘It could be New Ferneham or Ferneham Entertainment Centre.

‘The public has supported the council over the last 40 years with Ferneham Hall, and I think it would be important to have it as the main building name.’

A CGI mock-up of the new venue - with its name yet to be decided. Picture Fareham Borough Council.A CGI mock-up of the new venue - with its name yet to be decided. Picture Fareham Borough Council.
A CGI mock-up of the new venue - with its name yet to be decided. Picture Fareham Borough Council.

The name change will stop any ‘negative’ perspectives of Ferneham Hall being applied to the new venue, according to a report from council officers.

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Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Susan Bell, executive member for leisure and community, said: ‘Ferneham Hall is going – and we’re having a new venue.

‘All the names have a historic ring to them and Fareham Live reflects what is going to be going on in the building.’

The venue’s name will also inspire the names of rooms within the space.

The development will see the 708-seat theatre expanded to 800 seats, with a cafe operating throughout the day on the ground floor, and a terrace bar on the first floor.

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The stage will feature a 19.5m fly tower to accommodate larger shows.

Residents can have their say on the new name through an online consultation on the council’s website, a Facebook poll, and in person at the Council Connect stand in Fareham Shopping Centre, from August 17 to September 13.

The results of the consultation will be presented a meeting of the council’s executive in October.

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