Plans to transform Weston-super-Mare’s Tropicana into a nationally significant 5,000-seater venue are on track for approval next week, following design amendments responding to local feedback.
In 2022, North Somerset Council secured £20 million from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to support various initiatives, including the revitalization of the beloved 1930s former lido. The project aims to create a premier cultural, arts, and entertainment destination, expected to generate around £40 million in economic benefits over the next decade.
The planning application will be reviewed by the council’s planning committee on May 14, with officers recommending approval. The scheme proposes replacing the existing 1980s indoor facility with a purpose-built venue while restoring the iconic 1930s frontage along the promenade.
READ MORE: I Live in Overcrowded Bath but Love Tourists — And So Should You
READ MORE: Hollywood Star Timothée Chalamet Rumoured to Perform at Glastonbury, Fans Eager for Tickets
According to council planners, “The economic benefits to local tourism and the creation of new leisure facilities for residents and visitors will be significant. The new building will be a prominent feature on the Weston seafront.”
Initial reactions to the building’s original design, unveiled in January, were mixed, with some describing it as “brutalist” and reminiscent of a “1980s warehouse.” However, revisions have lowered the building’s height and replaced the bright white exterior with a mottled light grey finish. Historic England, which had raised concerns, praised these minor but positive changes.
The venue will accommodate up to 1,000 people indoors and host events for a total of 5,000 across the entire site. It is set to create 15 full-time positions and hundreds of part-time roles during large events.
Sustainability is a key focus: the new Tropicana is projected to cut carbon emissions by 60%, incorporating high insulation standards, low-carbon technology, solar panels, and heat pumps to supply electricity and heating.
Closed as a pool since 2000, the Tropicana gained renewed fame in 2015 as the site of Banksy’s Dismaland art installation. Since then, North Somerset Council has operated it as an event space attracting 40,000 to 50,000 visitors annually, though it struggled to cover operational costs and required essential repairs.
Funding for the transformation includes £8.7 million from the Levelling Up Fund and an additional £2.7 million granted by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund earlier this year.
The final decision on the Tropicana’s future will be made by the planning committee on May 14 at 2:30 pm in the New Council Chamber at Weston-super-Mare Town Hall. The committee operates independently from other council divisions involved in the project.