£23m plan to transform Clair Hall into cinema, homes and performance venue
Haywards Heath's long-vacant Clair Hall is set for a major regeneration featuring a new cinema, residential accommodation and community spaces.
Long-vacant site set for major overhaul
A £23 million regeneration project will bring new life to Haywards Heath's Clair Hall site, which has been out of use for some time. Mid Sussex District Council has partnered with Wates Residential Development Ltd following a competitive selection process.
The mixed-use development will centre on a new cultural venue operated by The Digital Picture House, the family business behind The Picture House Cinema and Restaurant in Uckfield and The Atrium Cinema and Bar in East Grinstead.
What the new venue will include
Plans for the cultural space feature four cinema auditoriums, a stage for live performances, a flexible community studio and an all-day café and restaurant. The site will also incorporate new homes and an improved pedestrian route through to Clair Park.
Council leader Robert Eggleston said the project would "build on Clair Hall's legacy as a place that brings people together, creating a new entertainment and cultural venue for Haywards Heath and the wider district alongside homes and employment opportunities." He added that it would "attract visitors, support the local economy, and give the whole community a place to enjoy."
Timeline for construction
Subject to planning approval, construction could begin in 2028 and be completed by autumn 2029. The council has said it will share updates and engagement opportunities through its website and Engagement Hub.
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