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News for Weston-super-Mare Central Ward from local councillors Mike Bell and Robert Payne : serving you on North Somerset Council and Weston-super-Mare Town Council Learn more
by mikebell on 15 June, 2018
Further investment of around £1million in Weston-super-Mare’s Tropicana could go ahead if a bid for Government funding by North Somerset Council is successful.
The council has bid for a £1.1million share from the Government’s £40million Coastal Communities Fund (CCF), with hopes of making further upgrades to the building.
The council hopes to create an indoor events, performance and education space with a capacity of up to 1,000 people, which will include retractable seating, staging, sound and lighting equipment. The plans include space for workshops and studios, which will address regional shortages.
Café facilities have also been earmarked for upgrades, and a cycle hire centre is also proposed.
North Somerset will learn the outcome of its bid in January and, if successful in securing funding, the project will be completed by March 2021.
Cllr Mike Bell said: “The Tropicana building is important to people in Weston and the bid for grant aid can only be positive. Investing in arts, culture and leisure in Weston town centre will help to create new jobs and creative opportunities for local people.”
2 Comments
I read with interest that after years of dereliction, the Tropicana might be redeveloped . However , I do feel that the powers that be need seriously to consider the problem of parking for those attending. It is difficult enough at present for residents to park in the streets near the Tropicana- especially after the draconian regime of pay and display has already displaced ‘town parkers’ into this area!
Great news any funding is very welcome and as I know from my time as a charity project development manager very hard to come by. I know its a political hot potato but is it not time that we had a long term plan for the Tropicana. I would like to see it remain in council ownership and be used for the arts be it music, theatre or performance. An outside stage area would be good. However one word of warning, the Tropicana seems to funnel the wind and it can be very unpleasant at times