ePetition details

Fareham Borough Council is aware that due to funding cuts from Hampshire County Council to Hampshire Cultural Trust, who run the Ashcroft Arts Centre, the trust is proposing to close the Ashcroft Arts Centre in the autumn of this year.

The Ashcroft Arts Centre is an important community centre in terms of Fareham's heritage, culture and community service. The closure of the Ashcroft Arts Centre would be a loss for Fareham on all these fronts.

The Ashcroft Arts Centre is also more than just an Arts Centre for residents in Fareham Town, it is also their community centre. Just as Portchester, Fareham Park and Broadway have their own distinct community centre's, the Ashcroft Arts Centre is that to Fareham Town.

Many residents have spoke about attending parent and baby groups; which has helped young parents socialise and boost their child's development. In addition, to being a space for hire, in which parties are held, community groups meet and classes held for those wanting to start a business in the arts.

More importantly, the Ashcroft Arts Centre is the centre of culture for Fareham, even with the existence of Ferneham Hall, soon to be Fareham Live. The Ashcroft Arts Centre, as many residents have said, has a reputation beyond Fareham. This is not just for the unique small performances they host, but the classes and inspiration the centre gives to Fareham as a way of developing a local pool of talent in Fareham.

Just like in Chichester the Minerva Theatre, acts as a local source of talent for Festival theatre; with the care and attention the Ashcroft Arts Centre deserves, it too can serve Fareham Live with a source of local talent.

The Ashcroft Arts Centre, serves everyone of all ages. The art classes serves all ages, as a way of socialising, tackling loneliness and keeping mentally active. For younger people it serves as an inspiration to take up the arts; in an era of decline youth services and a rise in anti-social behaviour, this centre linked with local schools, can change the path young people take.

Fareham town deserves a community centre. Fareham deserves a cultural centre. Fareham deserves opportunities for local talent. Fareham deserves the Ashcroft Arts Centre.

Start putting people and community first. Save the Ashcroft Arts Centre.

Started by: Dominic Martin (Fareham and Waterlooville Labour Party)

This ePetition ran from 16/01/2024 to 02/03/2024 and has now finished.

301 people signed this ePetition.