The troubled Criterion Theatre is set to be sold off by Gosport’s council, bringing the controversial four‑year saga to an end.
Councillors on the policy and organisation board have voted to dispose of the underused Forton Road building, which has stood empty since it was bought by the previous Liberal Democrat administration in 2022.
The former bingo hall was acquired for £600,000 under then‑leader Cllr Peter Chegwyn, despite having sold for £400,000 just months earlier, with the ambition of turning it into a multi‑purpose entertainment venue. The project never got off the ground.
Speaking at the meeting, Conservative for Lee East, Cllr Graham Burgess, said buying the Criterion is “the worst purchase the council has ever done”.
He criticised the cost of buying the building and the growing “add-ons”, saying: “They keep adding up to a sum that is unbelievable.
“We have to decide that it has to go. We can’t keep pouring money into this.”
The building has generated no income during council ownership but has already swallowed more than £1million of public money once fees, works, and ongoing bills are taken into account.
Speaking directly to Cllr Chegwyn, he said: “You wasted millions of council taxpayers’ money, you wasted our revenue.
“Residents in Gosport have suffered because of the decision you made to buy the Criterion.”
But defending his purchase, Cllr Chegwyn said it formed part of the borough’s heritage.
He said there was also a “window of opportunity” to provide a multi-purpose arts venue, similar to that of Fareham Live. He said that “Gosport always misses out” in terms of entertainment venues.
Cllr Chegwyn added: “I would say the vision for the Criterion was great, but times move on, costs move on, and we have to be realistic.
“If you have to demolish it and start again, you lose its heritage.”
He told councillors that “no council taxpayers’ money” has been spent on the scheme but admitted it needs “a lot of money spent on it”, adding: “This council doesn’t have the money.”
Responding to this, Cllr Colin Towell, Reform for Grange and Alver Valley, said Cllr Chegwyn’s explanation “speaks to the incompetence and arrogance” of the previous Lib Dem administration.
Conservative council leader Zoe Huggins BEM said the council has a £3.3million structural deficit.
She said the decision is based on getting the best value for money, explaining that there is currently no money allocated for it.
She previously said the Criterion was purchased without a fully developed or fully costed business plan, even though valuation advice was obtained beforehand.
Gosport council pulls plug on Criterion ‘money pit’ after four years | Daily Echo
