The future of Ashcroft Arts Centre
In January of this year, Hampshire Cultural Trust confirmed that Ashcroft Arts Centre, which it operates on behalf of Hampshire County Council, was at risk of closure due to a proposed reduction in the organisation’s central funding from the Council under its budget review. The budget review was opened to public consultation and the Council subsequently carefully considered the feedback to inform their decision making on whether or not to proceed with the proposed options for savings to meet a revised £175 million shortfall in its budget for 2025-26.
The Council Cabinet met on 14 October, and whilst it opted not to progress with all the savings recommendations, the decision to cut Hampshire Cultural Trust’s funding by £600,000 from 1 April 2027 was ratified.
Hampshire Cultural Trust categorically does not want to be in a position where it has to consider exiting any of the venues that it operates, however, in light of the confirmation of this significant reduction to its funding, has no option but to do so. The trust will work closely with Hampshire County Council over the coming weeks on the next stages of the process and an update on the future of Ashcroft Arts Centre will be issued in due course.