Ringwood Arts Centre

General information

Our aim is to build a multi-purpose community venue in Ringwood town centre, for everyone to enjoy!

So what can you enjoy there?

-A cinema with 250 seats showing new releases, film classics and live streaming of cultural and sporting events.
-A brand new Theatre with backstage changing area for amateur and professional performances including live music acts!
-Range of Meeting Spaces to be used for local clubs and societies, corporate functions and conferences.
-An Exhibition Room with north light.
-A large Hall for corporate events, dances, wedding receptions and dinners for up to 200 guests.
-New Sports Hall with sprung floor for Judo, Yoga, table tennis and other sporting activities!
-A Café and Bar to be used throughout the day and for evening events.

The idea for Ringwood Arts Centre was conceived in 2009 when the need for a large community hall was recognised, and that Greyfriars would be the perfect place to build it! Since then, headed by a professional committee made up of Greyfriars Community Association and Ringwood Musical and Dramatics Society members, Ringwood Arts Centre has been working to turn their idea into a reality.

Following an architectural competition, the commission for designing Ringwood Arts Centre went to local firm, Williams Lester. Architects Stephen Johnson and Michael Sumner led the design team taking inspiration from the traditional brick and slate gabled buildings of Ringwood.

Planning permission was granted for the project in February 2014. The plans had enthusiastic support from the beginning, especially from local arts and sports organisations, the local community and businesses in the area. Ringwood Town Council, New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council have also said that the planned project will enhance the social and commercial life of the whole area.

Ringwood Arts Centre now needs to raise £7 million to build and equip the centre.