I AM writing with regards to the article (July 11, 2018) about Southampton’s new theatre, NST City, in order to provide some context for the conversation that I had with reporter Rachel Adams.

It has undoubtedly been as frustrating for us as it has for the wider city to know what a force for good in the community this wonderful new building has the potential to be, only to have to manage lifts which are temporarily out of order. The building has such promise and we are champing at the bit to share the range of spaces and facilities with the people for whom it was built.

However it is also critical to remember that it is in itself a luxury to be feeling these frustrations. That to have gotten this far, with the inevitable challenges that go with a decade of global financial instability, is in itself a huge achievement. That Southampton has a council that believes in the transformative effect that investing in culture can have on the young people, the disadvantaged and in a sense of civic pride and belief, is unique in these times. That whilst operating Tyrells, our restaurant, was a stretch too far for Mettricks at this stage in its evolution, we are profoundly lucky to have young entrepreneurs like Spencer Bowman who have set up their stall in Southampton and with whom we continue to work closely to improve and enhance the local business district.

My headline to Rachel was that the lifts will be back online next week. Has it been hard when we’re trying to build audiences for work that is for and about Southampton, from The Shadow Factory to SS Mendi? Yes. Is this just a bump in the road and one we’ll all look back on and see as just that? I’m confident it is.

Sam Hodges

Director

Nuffield Southampton Theatres