Spencer Mill

Bringing new life to a historic mill

Introduction

Our transformation of Spencer Mill has succeeded in converting a derelict building into a vibrant local theatre and multi-purpose space.

Purchased by local performing arts charity Viva, Spencer Mill has been transformed into the organisation’s permanent home and means of income generation, simultaneously acting as a hub for the community and connecting the people of Soham to their town’s industrial past.

A home for the arts in Soham

Viva purchased the building with a vision: to create a permanent home for their performing arts organisation while offering a flexible, income-generating venue for the wider community.

The completed project has done just that — turning a forgotten industrial relic into a valued cultural and social hub.

The original mill building now houses a dramatic double-height auditorium, where audiences experience performances surrounded by exposed brick walls and historic details. A new mezzanine-level social space, set beneath the original roof structure, serves as an interval bar and hireable venue in its own right.

A new stair and lift core allows visitors to move through the building while engaging with preserved features like the original grain hoist, discovered during demolition.

Viva Group

'Transforming Spencer Mill from a derelict eyesore to a buzzing community asset has made a huge impact on the Viva Charity, the community of Soham and beyond...'

– Dan Schumann, local Councillor and Viva founder

Contemporary additions to a new community landmark

To the north and south, two ‘black box’ extensions are enveloped in corrugated black sheet metal, acknowledging the surrounding architectural aesthetic of agricultural sheds. To the south, a two-storey extension provides a new foyer and welfare facilities. To the north, a raised height single-storey extension provides back-of-house facilities. Externally, the former rough hardstanding has been replaced by a sustainably drained gravel parking area with surrounding landscaping. The theatre welcomed its first audience in January 2022, to great excitement.

The project has cemented Viva’s presence in Soham, deepening its connection with the local community and expanding access to the arts. Spencer Mill opened its doors to audiences in January 2022 — a milestone moment that marked both a new chapter for the charity and a meaningful reuse of local heritage.