Civic Centre's closure delayed

Archived press release

Date Published: 05/11/08

The Civic Centre will close next summer

Aylesbury Civic Centre will remain open until 30 June next year, it was confirmed at a meeting of the district council’s cabinet last night (4 November).

The venue on Market Square – which is owned and run by AVDC – is to close to allow the land to be redeveloped for the retail aspect of the Waterside scheme.

Earlier this year the council agreed the centre should close on 28 February 2009, based on the time Warner Estate, the developer of the proposed shopping complex, would need to take over the site. But the date can now be pushed back a further four months because the developers are not likely to require the site until the end of next year.

Members of the public will be able to continue to hire the venue’s conference facilities and the Civic Centre car park will remain open. The council will contact regular users of the centre to inform them of the new plans.

The Civic Centre will be replaced by a multi-million pound theatre which is currently under construction in Exchange Street. The new venue, named Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, will be bigger than the Civic Centre with a 1,200-seat auditorium that converts into a 1,800-capacity hall, and a 220-seat suite for smaller events including dance, drama, meetings and conferences.

The council’s leisure team will be helping to accommodate groups temporarily during the period that the Civic Centre closes and the new theatre opens. It is anticipated that the new theatre will open early 2010.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “I am extremely happy that the Civic Centre is now to remain open until June next year. It is a superb facility that local people and
visitors to the area enjoy. We will have time to ensure a fantastic programme is available to give the venue the send-off it deserves.”

For information on events at the Civic Centre call the box office on 01296 486009 or visit their website at www.aylesburycivic.org for details on the programme.