strategy

The goal was to understand the role a new venue could play in Chichester’s evolving cultural landscape, providing a space for performance, participation, education, and enterprise, while contributing to the city's wider evening and night-time economy ambitions.

• Mapping

  A mapping audit was conducted to assess existing live music provision across Chichester city centre, covering capacity, technical offer, and functional flexibility. The audit identified 44 assets, but flagged limitations in the city’s current venue stock, particularly for spaces dedicated to music performance with a mid-range capacity.

• Supply Analysis - Competitors

  A comprehensive  assessment of 5 music venues within an hour’s drive of Chichester, analysing technical capacity, usage patterns, access, ticket prices, programming and governance structures. The audit revealed a variety of partnership/sponsorships, stages designed to host medium-large sized bands, affordable ticket prices, and programming mostly focused on rock, pop, folk, indie, electronic and alternative. 

• Strategic Policy Alignment 

  A policy assessment looking at local strategic documents and analysing them against the intention of developing a new multi-purpose arts and live music venue in Chichester city centre. This included the Chichester Regeneration Strategy, tourism reports, Chichester BID’s business plan, and MAKE Associates evening and night-time economy plan.

• Stakeholder Engagement

  Local stakeholders were consulted, including local promoters, creatives, education providers, student unions, and community organisations. Discussions revealed a set of key priorities including: marketing and promotion, multigenerational programming, support for existing venues and non-competitive planning, and day to evening uses of a new venue.

• Audience and Consumer Analysis

  Using ticketing data, survey data from MAKE Associates, desk research and local demographics, the study identified gaps in cultural provision and untapped regional audiences. It also highlighted the potential for a venue to attract new visitors and increase footfall in the evening. 16-24 year olds, 35-54 year olds and 64+ year olds were deemed to be the most likely audience groups to attend a new venue. 

• Benchmarking

  Case studies of two successful music and multipurpose venues were created to demonstrate the potential in terms of range of activities, types of community engagement, and the governance structures that could be applicable to a new venue in Chichester.

• Operational Business Model 

  An operational business model looking at 3 different capacities (200, 400 and 600) was estimated alongside capital budgets for 4 identified potential sites. Estimates looked at potential job creation as well as revenue generation from F&B, tickets and private hire.  

• Impact Considerations

  A set of 6 potential impacts (positive and negative) that the venue could have on Chichester’s stakeholders, including artists, residents, the local economy, the tourism sector and the environment, based on Sound Diplomacy’s expertise and in alignment with the strategic policies reviewed. It prioritised key considerations including economic and social value, placemaking, noise, safety and business competition. 

• Site Analysis

  4 sites for potential redevelopment or acquisition were identified during a visit to Chichester city centre, and cross-checked by stakeholders and desk research.  The review also outlined considerations for site selection and governance models. Sites were evaluated based on current availability, planning permission, potentiality for local government ownership or private operation, proximity to public transport and residential properties, and reviewed in connection to Sound Diplomacy’s mapping.

Findings & outcomes

The assessment found that there is a need in Chichester for a vibrant, flexible cultural hub that showcases local talent, engages diverse audiences, and attracts both young and seasoned music lovers. A new mid-scale venue designed to host both live music and community events  would fill this gap, serving as a civic asset for residents that’s rooted in community values, and a destination for regional, national and international audiences and talent to enhance the city’s reputation as an arts destination.

Key findings include:

• Market demand for a flexible, mid-sized space (200–600 capacity)

• Strong public and stakeholder support for  intentional planning for a new venue

• Need for affordable, accessible space for young people, and programming that appeals to a broad spectrum of audiences

• Potential to deliver economic and social value by driving footfall and extending city centre activity into the evening and nigh

• Opportunity to complement existing venues, not compete - creating a distinct offering

The report recommends progressing to a full feasibility and business planning stage, including site selection, operational modelling, and continued engagement with the community and stakeholders. If delivered, the venue would mark a significant step in expanding Chichester’s cultural infrastructure and supporting a legacy of access, creativity, and local identity.