Council proposes tax increase to refurbish theatre

The Octagon Theatre has been shut for two years

Residents are being asked if they would foot the bill for a £3m loan to refurbish a much-loved theatre.

Yeovil Town Council will carry out a consultation to see if locals are in support of a tax increase to help reopen the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil, which has been closed since 2023.

The council wants to borrow £3.3m as part of the major upgrade and pay it back by raising its tax precept by 3.3 percent, which would be a rise of around £11.60 per band D household.

But Yeovil Town Council leader Andy Soughton has warned if the plan is rejected they will have to go back to the drawing board.

"It is the [only] theatre in Yeovil and it does come down to that," Mr Soughton said.

He added: "When you look at it in reality, 22p a week I believe it works out at, it's not a great deal of money.

"I think we're looking at around 15,000 households, so we'd have to look at how the consultation comes back and whether it's representative of the area that it covers."

If Yeovil Council goes ahead with borrowing the funds it means the budget would stand at £15m, including £10m from the government and money from fundraising.

There have been multiple delays in the redevelopment of The Octagon Theatre

Recently released revamp plans include the development of a stage house, a new studio for dance classes and theatre groups, a new front of house and improved access throughout the building.

Theatre manager Adam Burgan said it was an "exciting day" to be able to share the new designs with the public.

"Over the last 12 months new architects have been appointed and we've just signed off the structural plans for the theatre so a lot of work has been happening behind the scenes," he said.

If the tax increase is given the go-ahead, the theatre would reopen between 2028 and 2029.

The council will run open events at Westlands Entertainment Venue on 28 August and 3 September.

The consultation will then close on 21 September.