Wyvern Theatre in Swindon may avoid 2027 closure

The anticipated closure of a town’s theatre in 2027 may no longer be necessary, contrary to earlier expectations. The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon’s operating contract with Trafalgar Entertainment is set to conclude in three years, and a business case outlining plans for a new theatre had previously indicated the Wyvern would close “by mid-2027”. However, during a Let’s Talk Swindon public consultation session, Jim Robbins, leader of Swindon Borough Council, affirmed that the theatre “doesn’t have to close then”. Mr. Robbins also noted that the theatre “is getting to the end of its life” and is afflicted with “concrete cancer and other issues”. He further stated, “And the main thing is that we know it’s not big enough,”. “If we want to attract the big touring shows then we need something about twice the size of the current capacity, which is why we’re planning a replacement with a seated capacity of 1,200 and up to 2,000 standing,” he explained. Earlier reports concerning the Wyvern Theatre’s closure timeline were derived from an outline business case for the new concert venue the council intends to construct in Kimmerfields. This information was presented in documents for November’s cabinet meeting, during which cabinet members endorsed advancing with the proposal. The document explicitly stated that the theatre was “scheduled to close by mid-2027”. Addressing the audience at the Central Library, Mr. Robbins outlined the council’s strategy to clear the existing bus station site in Kimmerfields and repurpose the land for a ‘contemporary installation’. This construction style, intended for an event and entertainment venue, mirrors the approach used in east London for the Abba Voyage show. The Abba Arena utilizes a modular construction method, involving the off-site fabrication of most building components and their on-site assembly. Mr. Robbins noted that this method results in lower construction costs, which he emphasized is significant given the current strain on the council’s finances. He also indicated that such a construction is considerably simpler to dismantle if it is no longer required. He stated: “We can build something really good for the next 25 years and that will be used and attract good shows and be a real asset to the town centre.”