The Cultural Quarter is central to Southampton’s social and economic regeneration programme. It creates a vibrant, dynamic and cultural heart to the city. It is an area alive with arts, heritage, entertainment, events and music, framed within dramatic architecture.

The restoration of Guildhall Square, and most recently the opening of Sea City Museum, have added to and complement existing cultural landmarks which make up the Cultural Quarter, building on an already strong heritage of heritage and arts activity.

Completion of the new arts complex will provide the final physical piece in the Cultural Quarter ‘jigsaw’.

When completed, the Quarter will transform Southampton into a leading arts and cultural destination, bringing vital benefits for residents and visitors, business and tourism:

• Generating over 2,000 jobs and £21m additional spend annually
• Raising educational attainment and skills
• Improving staff recruitment and retention
• Helping to bring in around £175m of private and public investment.

Cultural Investment: the importance of the Cultural Quarter for business

For businesses based in Southampton, the Cultural Quarter will:

• Reposition Southampton as a cultural destination, making it an exciting place to work and do business, improving staff recruitment and retention
• Boost the local economy: creating over 2,000 jobs and attracting c£175m investment, around 1 million tourists and c£21m additional visitor spend each year
• Stimulate new business start-ups, especially in the creative industries
• Raise educational attainment and skills
• Offer opportunities for partnership and brand association with culture, positive change in the city, creativity and excellence.

Gain more background information about the Cultural Quarter project:

City Centre VIP projects

2 BBC South Broadcasting House

3 SeaCity Museum

4 City Art Gallery

5 Guildhall

6 City Library and Archives

7 Guildhall Square

8 Southampton Solent University Sir James Matthews Building

9 Solent Showcase

10 One Guildhall Square

11 Southampton new arts complex: scheduled to open Spring 2016

12 Historic City Centre parks – grade II listed