MAST Mayflower Studios can now officially take over Southampton's Studio 144.

Arts Council England have confirmed a commitment of £905,804 which will support the development of the city’s new cultural hub.

This investment, along with Southampton’s City Council’s grant of £511,250, will enable the venue to establish themselves as a new business and help develop a fantastic and diverse cultural programme.

Mayflower Theatre Trust Board have also met to ratify the takeover of the Guildhall Square theatre by Mayflower Academy Ltd.

The new theatre will be an integral part of Southampton’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid.

The building will be handed over to MAL later this month with the aim that MAST Mayflower Studios will be able to present Covid-safe live performances from April 2021.

Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Theatre Chief Executive said, “This is a wonderful addition to our Mayflower operation and we are delighted to play our role in broadening Southampton’s rich cultural ecology. MAST Mayflower Studios will be an exciting cultural hub with creativity at the very heart of everything it does.

Sara Scott, the new Executive Director of MAST Mayflower Studios, added, “I am excited and honoured to take up my new role and look forward to bringing MAST Mayflower Studios to life. Being born and bred in Southampton it is such a privilege for me to work with local people and other cultural organisations to give the best opportunities to take part and enjoy exceptional cultural experiences. We are developing a fantastic programme for the opening year of the studios welcoming all to come along and get involved in this exciting new cultural hub."

I look forward to recruiting the team that will take the building on the next stage of its journey. We aim for MAST to be a beacon of creative light central to the city aspiration to be City of Culture in 2025.”