Tropicana partially closes ahead of £8.7m revamp

A landmark seaside venue has partially closed to allow for a £8.7m refurbishment to take place.

Weston-super-Mare's Tropicana could host crowds of up to 5,000 people and see the main 1930s promenade building repaired.

A planning application has now been submitted by Morgan Sindall Construction, North Somerset Council's appointed contractor for the project. Work is due to complete by March 2026, if the application is approved.

A council spokesperson said they hoped the revamp will elevate Tropicana's status to become a nationally significant multi-use entertainment venue.

While the venue is shut, the Bay Café and the Makers Market concessions at the front of the promenade building will remain open until after the Easter school holidays.

Under the proposals, the existing 1980s internal building will be demolished and replaced with a new structure to host indoor events for about 1,000 people, increasing the venue's total capacity to 5,000.

Plans also include installing sustainable and renewable energy sources, such as heat pumps and solar panels.

Council leaders are looking for an experienced venue operator to lease the venue for at least 20 years.

The move comes after North Somerset Council was awarded £20m from the government's Levelling Up Fund to revamp several projects in the town.

Built in 1937, the former swimming pool on the beach is owned and run directly by the council.

Throughout the festive period, the venue hosted the country's largest outdoor ice rink, Icescape.

Banksy's Dismaland art installations in 2015 and the SEE Monster exhibition in 2023 were also hosted there.

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