TWO Winchester charities are set to expand after drawing up an agreement.

St John’s, which runs almshouses and a care home in the city, will now forge ahead with its plans to maximise potential housing for elderly locals.

The charity had also proposed for many years to develop additional almshouses on Chesil Street.

But it has instead sold some of the land to Winchester Dramatic Society (WDS), which looks to extend Chesil Theatre.

WDS trustee David Small said: “The society established the Chesil Theatre in 1966, though we have been entertaining the people of Winchester since 1863.

“In addition to our annual programme of six main productions, we have increased our activities with sessions for two youth groups, drama workshops and training, student performances and regular use of our intimate auditorium for small-scale professional productions.

“However, over the years our building has begun to bulge at the seams, putting pressure on our ability to carry out all the arts-related objectives we’d like.

“Working alongside St John’s, it is now possible for us to create a new annexe. This will provide disabled amenities, adequate dressing room facilities, a new foyer/rehearsal space and a performance/community room.”

In a separate deal three Victorian houses on Chesil Street have been sold and will be restored.

Roger Bright, chairman of trustees at St John’s Winchester, added: “St John’s is delighted to be facilitating this expansion of the Chesil’s facilities through the sale of part of its Chesil site.

“The theatre has a proud history and we look forward to seeing the annexe completed and all the community benefits that will bring.

“As a charity we have great respect for the charitable and community-focused activities of the Chesil Theatre and are pleased we have reached a mutually beneficial agreement. We continue to support WDS with the building of their annexe in order to enhance significantly the current theatre.”

Preparatory works at St John’s Colebrook Street site are expected to begin in March.

This development will see 15 new almshouses, comprising a state-of-the-art block of fully adapted apartments to allow older people to live independently for as long as possible.

The new and older almshouses will be integrated with the existing south-side almshouses and will sit in a landscaped area.

Mr Bright added: “We are at a very exciting stage of the charity’s growth; we have much work to do and are determined to forge ahead with our plans to develop our services to benefit more local older people including those of limited means.

“We intend to build success of our Hand in Hand community outreach and social prescribing service which has operated throughout the Covid-19 crisis.”

Clive Cook, chief executive, added: “St John’s has a long history of over nine centuries, and the new units on Colebrook Street will ensure we can continue to support older people in the community in a sustainable way. The Colebrook Street site will allow the St John’s community to endure and flourish in the city within a modern setting.”