Update on further works at Regent Centre

Christchurch Borough Council will be carrying out further investigation works at the Regent Centre from Monday 31 July.

The works, which will be completed by Thursday 3 August, will involve digging trial pits internally and externally to uncover the foundations of the auditorium. The supporting beam to the circle will also be uncovered so engineers can see how this connects with the column in the external wall.

Lindsay Cass, head of Property and Engineering, Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said, “This work will allow us to see parts of the building that are currently covered up so we can develop both temporary and permanent repair solutions.

“Once we have completed this assessment work, we will decide if it is feasible to install a temporary support to allow the circle seating to reopen prior to permanent repair works being carried out. We would like to thank both patrons of the Regent Centre and visitors to the town centre for their understanding while these works are ongoing.”

Felicity Porter, general manager, Regent Centre, said, “I would like to thank our patrons for their ongoing support. We are working with the council to get the building fully functional as soon as possible.”

The permanent repair works are being developed with the structural engineer and are likely to require the replacement of corroded beams and the re-plating of corroded columns in the south-east wall of the auditorium.