Somerset Council reveal plans to transform Octagon theatre

Somerset Council have partnered up with Yeovil Town Council to submit plans to transform the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil as part of a £15 million development.

The 50-year-old building has been closed since April 2023, with the council voting as part of its annual budget to keep the building shut until a new business case could be agreed.

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As part of the £15 million plan, both councils have included additional equipment to "seamlessly move" scenery and props, which will make more ambitious and exciting productions possible.

Last month, an outline business case was submitted to the Government Department of Media, Culture and Sport, which is providing the bulk of the funding, and the team is now moving through a number of Royal Institute of  British Architect  (RIBA) stages towards submitting a final business case for the funding.

The project has currently completed the RIBA 3-stage (design). The final business case (FBC) will be submitted in 2026 once planning permission has been secured and a successful tender process to appoint a contractor has concluded.

It is expected work would begin during the 2026/2027 financial year.

The refurbishment includes the following:

• The replacement/renewal of the plant, machinery and physical infrastructure of the building – investment to meet current compliance requirements and provide resilience.
• Improving accessibility for all, including additional accessible toilets throughout the building for customers, a Changing Places facility and an accessible dressing room, also with an accessible toilet and shower.
• Renewing and improving the auditorium and rehearsal space for a better audience experience and wider participation.
• Reorganisation and significant improvement of front of house facilities – significant benefits for audience experience, particularly for trading incomes from food and drink.
• Backstage accessibility improvements to ensure comprehensive accessibility.
• Plans to improve the environmental impact of the venue - energy efficiency measures/sustainable practices.
• Increased revenue from front-of-house facilities.
• Improvements to the stage house and backstage area will significantly improve the technical aspects of our productions. Raising the roof will enable the team to fly clothes out, and a backstage crossover will support the ambitions of the theatre programme and talented local community groups.

Somerset Council’s lead member for communities, housing revenue account, culture and equalities, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts said: “This is a major milestone for this exciting project, it’s fantastic to see the plans being submitted and get a glimpse of what it will look like.

“This is the development of a public building, using Government money and there is a detailed set of stages to follow. It is vital we put together a robust business case.

“We are committed to the project being on budget and on time, our aim is to see an improved Octagon Theatre, that has been modernised to be enjoyed by everyone from across Somerset and further afield.”

Councillor Andy Soughton, leader of Yeovil Town Council, said: “The Octagon Theatre has played a hugely important role in the life of Yeovil Town for 50 years. Many of our residents have grown up with visits to The Octagon being an important part of their lives.

“The Octagon brings people from the surrounding area into our town, providing an economic boost for our businesses and being a place that bring us together for great entertainment – it is vital for Yeovil and Somerset and our aim is to both ensure it is fit for purpose for years to come and to significantly improve it as a venue.”

This funding is made up of £10 million from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), £3.75 million from Yeovil Town Council, which is made up from a loan, and other sources, plus just over £1.25 million made up of ticket levy income, fundraising and 106 contributions via Somerset Council.

To view the plans in more detail, or make a comment, head to the Somerset planning portal and search reference number: 25/02959/FUL.