Alexandra Arts Centre set to open Spring 2027
Arun District Council and Arun Arts are pleased to announce that the Alexandra Arts Centre, Bognor Regis will open its doors to the public in Spring 2027.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for the project and for Bognor Regis, confirming the opening window for what will be one of the most important cultural venues on the West Sussex coast.
The Spring 2027 opening has been agreed jointly by Arun District Council and Arun Arts to ensure the venue formerly known as Alexandra Theatre, a major new cultural hub serving Bognor Regis and the wider area, is fully prepared and operationally ready to deliver the best possible experience from the moment it welcomes its first audiences. Both organisations are committed to the theatre launching in a way that does full justice to the investment that has been made and the community it will serve.
Construction continues to progress well across the site. Works currently underway include roofing installation across the existing building, fly tower, and west extension, alongside first fix mechanical and electrical works, underfloor heating, internal fit-out, and the commencement of curtain walling. The building is moving steadily towards completion, and the project team remains focused on delivering a durable, high-quality facility for the long term.
The Alexandra Arts Centre is a cornerstone of the wider Regis Rejuvenation programme - Arun District Council's long-term vision for the regeneration and renewal of Bognor Regis town centre and seafront. The arts centre will sit at the heart of that vision, providing a world-class performance space, driving cultural activity, supporting the local economy, and giving residents and visitors a compelling reason to come to Bognor Regis.
Arun Arts, who will operate the venue, has been working closely with Arun District Council throughout the construction period to develop an ambitious artistic programme and operational model for the arts centre. The revised timetable means that, alongside delivering the highest quality building possible, Arun Arts will also benefit from additional time to finalise and build out its artistic programme, deepen community engagement ahead of opening, and ensure the venue's team and operational systems are fully prepared. This presents a genuine opportunity to ensure the Alexandra Arts Centre launches not just as a completed building, but as a vibrant, fully formed cultural destination ready to make an immediate and lasting impact on Bognor Regis.
Leader of Arun District Council, Councillor Martin Lury, said:" The Alexandra Arts Centre is set to become an important cultural hub for Bognor Regis and the surrounding villages. Setting the opening for Spring 2027 allows Arun Arts and Arun District Council the time to get every detail right, from the venue and programme to the people who will bring it to life. This marks a key milestone in the Regis Rejuvenation programme, and an exciting step forward.”
Vice Chair of Arun Arts, Ollie Jeffery said: "We have been planning for this moment for a long time, and we want to make sure that when we open our doors, everything is exactly as it should be. Spring 2027 gives us the runway to do even more - to build our programme, engage with our future audiences, and make sure we are ready to deliver something that Bognor Regis can be genuinely proud of from day one."
Construction progress updates will continue to be issued regularly, keeping the public informed of on-site activity as the project moves towards completion. Further announcements about the arts centre's programme and what audiences can expect will follow in the months ahead.
For media enquiries, please contact: regisrejuvenation@devcomms.co.uk
Notes to editors: The Alexandra Arts Centre redevelopment is part of the Regis Rejuvenation programme, Arun District Council's regeneration vision for Bognor Regis. Arun Arts is the appointed operator of the Alexandra Arts Centre.