Find out more about the work we are doing to regenerate the Pavilion in Torquay.
The Pavilion is a Grade II listed building of historic and cultural significance to Torquay. It has been closed since 2013.
We announced at the end of October 2024 that we had completed lease surrender negotiations and had gained full control of the building.
This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for the cherished local asset.
Our immediate priority was to ensure the building is made secure to protect it from any further damage.
We need to undertake a detailed scope of intrusive investigations and inspections so we can develop a clear understanding of the building’s condition. This work will inform us on the extent of the remedial works required to reinstate the integrity of the existing structure. This important piece of work will start in the Spring of 2025 and could take one year to complete.
A budget to fund the full restoration is yet to be determined and will be dependent on the scope and scale of work that is required.
Long term restoration plans will require us to work collaboratively with organisations such as English Heritage and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, who we have a 10 year partnership with through the Heritage Places initiative. Our Heritage Strategy explains more about our commitment to caring for our historic assets.
Watch Cllr Chris Lewis talk about our immediate plans for the Pavilion
The journey to reclaim the Pavilion has been a lengthy and challenging process, taking longer than we initially anticipated.
As the Pavilion is a Grade II listed building, that turned 110 years old in August 2022, any works that are undertaken need to be carefully considered and planned for.
External factors such as the War in Ukraine, escalating energy costs, supply chain problems, inflation, increasing material costs, Brexit and the economic fallout from the pandemic have all contributed to driving higher costs for restoration and construction projects across the country.
It is important that any future plans for the Pavilion are viable and sustainable.
The restoration of historical buildings such as the Pavilion is incredibly complex, costly and time consuming.
The Pavilion was built at a time when construction methods were very different to what they are today. This means that any restoration works must comply with modern construction methods as well as being sensitive to the original design. We also have to take advice from heritage experts such as Historic England.
For example, the original steel framed structure is built on reclaimed land, meaning it would have suffered many years of corrosion.
We also want to ensure that any repair and restoration works futureproof the building for many years to come.
We have appointed a commercial agent, to attract an end user for the building. A strong preference of ours and the community is to attract an occupier that will enhance Torbay’s growing cultural offer and bring additional footfall to the area.
Any future developments put forward by the leaseholder will be subject to planning approval.