CENTRAL Studio in Basingstoke is looking forward to a packed calendar of arts events following a £40,000 refurbishment.

Over the past six months, the venue, which is located within the campus of Queen Mary's College (QMC) in Cliddesden Road, Cranbourne, has added the finishing touches to a six-year refurbishment project, which, in total, has cost £1.2million.

Recent work, which was funded by QMC, includes the replacement of 130 retractable seats in the main studio, the upgrading of equipment in the recording studio control room and the purchase of a new piano and drum kit.

The control room has now been fitted with £25,000-worth of brand-new industry-standard equipment, including Mac G5 computers, 24-track recording and state-of-the-art editing facilities.

Phil Pennington, director of Central Studio, said: "The new facilities are fantastic and mean that we can record anything from soloists right up to big bands and choirs. We have had people come in and record entire albums here as well as radio jingles and talking books."

Central Studio was built 26 years ago and, as well as the main studio theatre, now features two dance studios, five rehearsal rooms, a further recording studio and a control room. Central Studio can also cater for larger events and seat up to 450 people in Queen Mary's Hall on the college campus.

Speaking about the refurbishment, Mr Pennington said: "I think it was long overdue and people's reactions have been really positive.

"We are now looking forward to welcoming customers through the doors and seeing them come back time and time again."

Mr Pennington added: "Because of where we are based, people often dismiss us as just a student venue, but we are not that at all. This is a quality venue in the town that is available and has been hosting a wide range of shows for more than 25 years."