14:14 19th June 2012

New creative hub hosts first open day

A new creative hub called The Sorting Office will open in Eastleigh and the character building that will be converted into a studio complex was open on Monday 18th June for creatives to view proposals for the site.  
 
The former Royal Mail sorting office in the town centre will become home to 18 creative businesses such as film-makers, visual artists, set builders and fashion designers when it officially opens later in the year. The open day allowed interested parties to view the site. 
 
The Sorting Office is currently an empty shell that will be converted and fitted out ready to be opened in the autumn. Those attending the open day were encouraged to provide input into how they would like to see the building configured. 
 
Plans currently include 15 open-plan units, three private lockable studios; and a “dirty space” to provide facilities for set making, theatre design and large scale projects. 
 
The event was hosted by Eastleigh Borough Council’s Head of Culture, Cheryl Butler, and Head of Economic Development, Kathryn Rankin. The Sorting Office will be run in conjunction with 'a space' and will form part of the council’s expanding portfolio of creative hubs that includes among others The West Wing and Artist Quarters at The Point and Wessex House. 
 
To register for updates and to find out when the next open day will be contact paul.spencer@eastleigh.gov.uk or sign up at the top of this page. 
 
To watch a video about the new studios click here.