THE Lights is set for a £32,000 redevelopment after councillors rubber-stamped plans to convert an ‘underused’ kitchen facility into a new dance studio.

Members of Test Valley Borough Council’s cabinet last week approved plans for the conversion which will result in the current kitchen being stripped out and turned into a second dance studio for the venue.

As part of the redevelopment one of the venue’s two multipurpose studios will also be converted into a changing room.

The council expects the move to double the room’s rental income, with the kitchen only being hired out a maximum of six times a year.

In a report to the council’s cabinet last Wednesday, officers stated The Lights team vacated use of the kitchen in 2008 and since then the facility has only been used by external catering companies.

In 2015 the kitchen was hired out on three occasions, bringing in a total of £4,000 in rent.

The council says it will bring in a similar income this year, but claim a dance studio conversion would allow them to double their money and raise between £7,000 and £10,000 per year.

The authority believes it will be able to pay back its investment in four years.

The current facilities at The Lights will not be affected by the change, with the cafe and bar currently operating from a servery kitchen.

Leader of TVBC, Cllr Ian Carr, said: “Investing in the redevelopment of the under-used kitchen space at The Lights supports our aims and makes sound economic sense.

“The work will generate additional income by creating increased modern dance studio facilities in response to local community demand for such space. It also underpins the council’s commitment to develop and maintain The Lights venue as the hub for the creative community in Andover.

He added: “2016 is an exciting year for the venue as it celebrates a decade of creativity, entertainment and community with its 10th anniversary in the autumn.

“Occupancy rates have consistently achieved higher than target for 2016 and significantly higher than the national average for comparable sized venues, and customer satisfaction is currently recorded at 97 per cent.

“The team at the venue strives to provide an excellent and inclusive facility that provides a range of shows, workshops and classes to appeal to as wide a cross-section of the community as possible."