A PERFORMING space at The Petersfield School (TPS) is getting upgraded ahead of its relaunch as a community venue.

New seating will be installed in The Studio over the summer as part a bid to make the space more attractive to users and audiences.

The school has secured half the funding to replace the much-maligned benches with individual folding seats, identical to those in the O2 Arena in East London.

New lighting has also been installed with TPS governor Steve Cliff hopeful the changes will make The Studio a more attractive venue for intimate and smaller productions.

He said: "The Petersfield Theatre Group and local theatre groups have never really embraced this studio as a venue for long-running shows and maybe it’s because of the seating.

"For small groups and shows Festival Hall is quite big, especially when the intention is to make the show an immersive experience, but this could be ideal."

The school will soon approach parents and businesses about fundraising and sponsorship to cover the remaining costs, especially with funding being "tight".

But principal Mark Marande believes the investment in the studio could pay for itself if more acts see its potential.

He said: "We think updating The Studio will bring more funds into the school but we want it to be a real asset and resource for the community.

"Petersfield is a very creative place where lots of things are happening and we want to be part of that."

The proposals have been backed by Petersfield resident and Good Night Mr Tom author Michelle Magorian, whose Tinsel musical will be premiered in the venue in November.

Studio manager Tom Kates added: "We’ve always called it a studio but we want it to be a theatre as well.

"Over the past year we’ve run comedy clubs, held Americana evenings and it’s also good for conferences. We can do anything in this space."