CREST Nicholson has begun demolition works on Brightwells Yard – starting with the long-awaited demise of the former Redgrave Theatre.

Fresh from its demolition of another Farnham relic, the Woolmead, contractors Wooldridge crossed East Street last week to begin works on the northern section of the Brightwells site.

This included knocking down the western wing of the Redgrave which was housed the theatre’s workshop and dressing rooms.

Brightwells Yard is being developed by Crest Nicholson in partnership with Waverley and Surrey councils.

The new development will provide 239 new homes comprised of one, two and three-bedroom apartments with more than 9,814 square metres of retail, a cinema, restaurants, cafes together with a new town square and public gardens and a multi- storey car park.

The development has a phased opening from spring 2021 and will be fully complete by autumn 2022.

The Redgrave Theatre opened in May 1974, replacing the smaller Castle Theatre in Castle Street but it fell on hard times and closed in 2008.

* See this week’s Farnham Herald for a special look at the Redgrave Theatre, including letters from many of the great actors who once graced the theatre’s stage, plus photos from its hey-day and a plotted history.