Plans to go on display for £20m Tropicana revamp
From Friday 13th September drawings will be on display at the famous attraction on Weston seafront
Last updated 28th Aug 2024
The venue on the seafront in Weston first opened in 1937. It was an open air pool and entertainment venue for years hosting Laurel and Hardy and Diana Dors. In 2015 Banksy famously held his Dismaland art installation there and in 2022 it was the venue for the See Monster art installation to promote sustainability. But recently the attraction has fallen into disrepair and desperately needs an update.
North Somerset Council have been given £20 million from the government to improve the facilities and have appointed architects RCKa to draw up plans. They're going to be on display at the Tropicana on Friday 13 September (evening) and Saturday 14 September (daytime). The proposed works will enhance existing facilities, boost capacity and restore the venue’s status as a nationally renowned, multi-use entertainment space.
Visitors to the events will be able to view early stage designs and meet members of the RCKa design team, find out more about the improvement programme in Weston, and share memories, stories and experiences of the Tropicana to contribute to a social history project being led by local artists. These events are part of a series of engagement activities being held by RCKa to give local people, community groups and organisations the opportunity to get involved and contribute to the proposed designs.
Councillor Mike Solomon, the council's executive member responsible for seafronts, and investment including the Tropicana, said: “We’re focussing the programme of investment on delivering maximum impact at several high-profile sites across Weston’s town centre and seafront. This will help reinvent iconic heritage buildings, support local businesses, create new jobs, and deliver a year-round experience-led economy for the future.
“The council is about to launch a campaign to attract a new operator for the Tropicana and focussing on this fantastic site’s future viability is central to the design and investment choices, and one of the reasons that we chose RCKa as our preferred supplier for this important project. I urge people to come along and get involved in these events.”
Dieter Kleiner, director at RCKa, said: “RCKa is incredibly proud to be appointed to help shape the next chapter in the Tropicana’s rich social history. It has played a significant part in thousands of lives and, together with North Somerset Council, we are working to secure its future by providing new flexible event facilities and refurbished heritage assets, and to restore the Trop as a cultural destination of national importance.
“We want to encourage everyone to come along and share their personal stories, to contribute their thoughts on the work that's been done to date, and to help shape a positive future for this iconic venue.”
More information and event timings will soon be published on the council’s social media channels and website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/tropicana.