Council announces access walkway for Fareham Live
By Connor Steel
FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL have announced that a new walkway has been opened through the indoor shopping centre and will be accessible to visitors until 11:30pm every evening; thus providing the ‘safe and comfortable’ pathway between the town centre and their recently launched entertainment venue Fareham Live as it makes a successful start.
The venue has seen an outstanding opening week since launching on September 28, and further had multiple sold out shows featuring ‘stand-out names’; including Bradley Walsh and Jason Donavon. As previously reported by local press over 30000 tickets have already been sold for future performances such as Jimmy Carr and the Christmas Pantomime.
Early numbers indicate that the shopping centre has had a ’10-percent increase’ in footfall since late September, which saw test events and first show for Fareham Live. Pubs and restaurants have all similarly reported that more people are visiting their establishments across the town centre for food / drinks; their busiest times coming before and after shows.
With a majority of these pubs / restaurants being located along West Street and the High Street, the ‘walkway’ will offer a fast route for theatre-goers to both get to the venue and enjoy these local facilities. It further allows visitors to use the Market Quay car park site and Fareham Bus Station or the Borough’s Train Station before travelling through the centre.
Simple signage is available to help navigate this walkway through Westbury Mall and Thackeray Mall whilst specifically designed boards have been made up to encourage selfies / photographs from the visitors. Trees around Fareham Live have also been lit to provide an appealing setting and safe atmosphere to this venue particularly in dark or wet periods.
Both the walkway and the security team have been funded by the Council for an initial 1-year period until autumn 2025; the timeframe also being used to monitored to understand how people prefer to travel in and around the town centre. A full quote about the new walkway from the current Council Leader, Cllr Simon Martin, is available for readers in the link.
Readers can examine more information about Fareham Live and its background via this designated council link, whilst the venue’s official website is accessible online here including a list of performances and an option to buy show tickets.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL: Lit butterflies can be seen by visitors as they use walkway to venue.