Join us in the third anniversary month of the Council’s purchase of The Criterion, as we call to action for full transparency and the publication of a comprehensive business case before any additional funds are spent.
We are asking
- residents to contact their councillors, highlighting concerns over secrecy, potential costs, and the loss of other community projects.
- The public is welcome to attend Full Council and all Board meetings, and we would very much encourage you to attend when possible. This will enable you to see firsthand how your Councillors conduct business on your behalf. Most are held on a Wednesday at 18:00hr. Contact GBC Democratic Services for more information. The public can also submit questions.
Sign the petition calling for https://www.change.org/StopSpendingOnTheCriterion
We call on Gosport Borough Council to prioritise transparency, accountability, and responsible financial planning for the future of The Criterion. Sign this petition to demand clear plans and open decision-making.
1. A halt to all further spending on The Criterion until a comprehensive, publicly available business plan is published. This plan must include detailed development phases, a clear financial projection demonstrating business viability, and evidence of public value at each stage.
2. A clearly defined exit strategy with specific triggers should the proposed business development and phased approach prove unviable or fail to meet objectives.
3. Enhanced transparency and public involvement in decision-making, especially when the information is not commercially sensitive, to ensure community trust and accountability.
Overview
- Three years after purchase, the Criterion remains empty and deteriorating; The council bought the historic theatre for £600,000 in 2022, but it has remained unused and semi-derelict since.
- Funds have been diverted from community projects to buy and plan the Criterion. £2.16 million was taken from other schemes like parks and sports facilities, to finance the theatre acquisition.
- We have warned of high financial risks and uncertain costs for refurbishment
- Proposed plans could cost taxpayers up to £1.4 million, with no guarantee of long-term viability or public benefit.
- Secrecy and lack of transparency fuel public concern. Reports are withheld from the public, and key decisions are made in private, raising fears of an uncosted vanity project.
- A recent Conservative ward survey, residents said: The Criterion project is a waste of money, and funds should be redirected to the High Street. Many expressed strong opposition to spending on this. With some stating ‘criticism of spending on "trophy projects" like the Criterion’
- Since a recent survey was issued, a revised proposal for the Criterion was presented to the July Policy & Organisation Board, Chaired by Cllr Chegwyn. The Lib Dems voted to exclude the press and public. This was reported to the full Council meeting on 16 July. Full details are available on the council website. In summary, the Lib Dems voted to spend up to a further £1.4m to now only aim to open a "community cafe" with 50 - 60 seats in the "modern" annex to the Criterion from March 2026. An external contractor will operate the cafe, with running costs likely to fall to Council Taxpayers. Worryingly, additional work is being carried out in this phase to review problems with both the roof and the balcony in the old Criterion building, which may further increase the cost of reopening the whole building—if it ever does reopen.
Timeline
November 2019
Owners Peter Arnett Leisure report that the bingo hall on Forton Road is losing money.
2020
- The Criterion Theatre is put on the market for leisure use but generates no interest.
- Owners explore converting the site into flats.
March 2022
- Peter Arnett Leisure sells The Criterion to a Portsmouth businessman for £400,000.
May 2022
- Liberal Democrats gain control of Gosport Borough Council.
- The council imposes an ‘Asset of Community Value’ order on The Criterion.
September 2022
- The Council votes to purchase The Criterion for £600,000, just six months after the previous sale, amid concerns over its derelict state.
- The purchase is funded by reallocating of capital funds.
28th September, 2022
- The Council’s Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors approve the buy, with the building remaining empty and semi-derelict since.
Since 2022
- The Council has:
- Stripped £1.65 million from the capital program.
- Commissioned two business plans, one costing £20,000 and another £35,000, neither publicly published.
July 2025
- A public report considers a phased refurbishment plan, with options to sell, fully refurbish, or partially refurbish The Criterion.
- The preferred option (Option 3) involves a “basic refurbishment” costing approximately £1.375 million plus £325,000 in revenue support over five years, with limited detailed design and significant financial uncertainty.
- The Council’s officers warn of high risks, potentially costing taxpayers up to £1.4 million if worst-case scenarios materialise for phase 1a.
- The Council’s Policy & Organisation Board debates these options behind closed doors, with key decisions made behind closed doors, excluding public and press scrutiny. Then the same happens at full council with all press and public removed from the public gallery.
- Considers approving additional work for technical design, structural surveys, and the appointment of contractors, with a potential opening date for public use in late 2025.
- An “exit option” (Option C) to cancel the project entirely is proposed but rejected.
The saga of Gosport’s Criterion Theatre continues to have ongoing concerns over transparency, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement in local government decisions. We are extremely concerned about this administration's plans, which involve substantial public expenditure with uncertain outcomes.
Key Issues
- No published business plan, whether this is a full plan or a plan with recommendations for phasing, but with a clear financial plan that shows business viability and public value. We also want to see a clear exit plan and trigger if phasing is used.
- The building remains unused and deteriorating two years after the Council’s purchase.
- Significant funds have been diverted from other community projects to acquire and plan the refurbishment of The Criterion.
- Council decisions are made in secret, with reports withheld from public scrutiny.
- Financial risks are high, with potential costs rising into the millions, and the future use of the theatre remains uncertain.
