Replacement Auditorium seating at The Point Theatre, Eastleigh

The Point Theatre in Eastleigh was constructed 30 years ago. The main auditorium seating consists of 318 seats on a retracting mechanism and was installed at the time of initial construction. Following a recent maintenance check, the retractable mechanism was considered to be structurally sound and in good working order, however structural failures were identified in 59 of the 318 seats resulting in the seats being taken out of use. Many of these seats have been deemed beyond basic repair and the reduced seating capacity is now impacting on the viewing experience and the business case of the theatre.

Accordingly, the Council considers the seating to have reached the end of its service life and is seeking to replace the 318 seats to restore the theatre to its full capacity.

The aim of this project is to replace the existing theatre seating to reduce health and safety risks associated with the current installation, while enhancing audience comfort, improving durability, and modernising the overall appearance of the auditorium.

The upgraded seating must:

• Enhance the visual quality and consistency of the auditorium.
• Increase longevity and reduce ongoing maintenance requirements.
• Comply fully with fire safety, evacuation, and accessibility standards.
• Optimise audience sightlines, in particular for Row Q.
• Retain or enhance the existing seating layout and capacity.

The council is currently considering two options and seeking quotations for both:

• Lot 1: Replacement of the auditorium seating on the existing retractable mechanism.
• Lot 2: Replacement of the retractable mechanism/platform system, inclusive of new auditorium seating.

Eastleigh Borough Council is inviting contractors with the appropriate skills, experience, and financial standing to submit a tender for the replacement of the auditorium seating at The Point Theatre, Eastleigh, as more particularly described in ITT specification documentation.