Ashford Borough Council’s cabinet was asked on 8 October 2026 to recommend that Full Council commit a further £6.813m to refurbish the former Odeon cinema on the High Street, bringing the total estimated capital investment in the project to £8.363m.
Ashford Borough Council’s cabinet was asked at its meeting on 8 October 2026 to recommend to Full Council a further £6.813m of capital spending to complete the refurbishment of the former Odeon cinema building in the town centre, bringing the estimated total capital investment to £8.363m inclusive of all fees, professional costs, contingencies and other expenses.
What is proposed
The scheme would convert the front section of the 1930s art deco building into a small-scale arts, cultural and community venue. The refined design retains a restored High Street frontage, a flexible studio theatre with a capacity of approximately 152 to 262 people depending on configuration, a gallery and meeting space, a foyer café/bar and workspace, and a refurbished first-floor ballroom. The entrance and box office have been relocated to improve accessibility and visibility from the High Street.
The total figure incorporates £1.1m already approved for strip-out and asbestos removal, and £450,000 previously approved for design work, operator procurement and consultation at RIBA stages 2 and 3. The additional £6.813m would fund completion of the refurbishment. Because the report asks cabinet to recommend the spending to Full Council, the budget would need Full Council’s approval. Officers noted that part of the project funding is proposed to be met through the Business Rates Pool.
Operator and subsidy arrangements
The recommendations also cover a maximum council subsidy over a 15-year term, the precise figure of which is contained in an exempt appendix not published for public view. Officers said the council would procure an operator through a Flexible Competitive Tender, with a profit-share arrangement included should the venue perform well commercially. The preferred legal structure is a lease and concession agreement, with a 15-year lease and an option to extend for a further 10 years.
Officers recommended that contractor procurement could begin before planning consent is granted, but stated that any final construction contract would remain conditional on planning approval and the relevant council approvals.
Background and risks
Stirling Prize-winning architects Haworth Tompkins have taken the design through RIBA stages 2 and 3, and Blue Horizon Ventures was appointed to develop the business case and operator procurement. Cabinet endorsed the Phase 1 concept in March 2026.
The papers identified the principal risks as cost escalation, planning and programme delay, unforeseen structural issues, procurement challenge, failure to secure a suitable operator, and continuing landlord liabilities for the retained rear section of the building. Officers noted that starting contractor procurement ahead of planning consent may protect the delivery programme but creates potential abortive cost and market risk.
The council had not published the minutes of the meeting at the time of writing, so the committee’s decision is not yet on the public record.