Torbay Council is inviting the public to help shape the next chapter of the iconic Torquay Pavilion, as a major new Options Appraisal gets underway.
Led by a small team of local consultants and supported by funding from Torbay Council, Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the appraisal marks a significant step towards securing a sustainable, long-term future for one of the Bay’s most treasured heritage landmarks.
The Options Appraisal will explore viable and sustainable uses for the Grade II listed Pavilion, with the aim of ensuring it can operate as a financially resilient, year-round visitor attraction while preserving its historic and cultural significance.
Torquay Pavilion is one of Torbay’s most recognisable landmarks and holds deep meaning for residents and visitors alike. Its future plays a central role in protecting local heritage and supports Torbay Council’s wider vision for cultural and heritage-led regeneration across the Bay.
Public consultation now open
A public consultation launches on Tuesday 6 January and runs until Sunday 25 January. It will gather ideas and gauge public opinion on potential future uses for the Pavilion.
Feedback from residents, businesses and stakeholders will help the council better understand the needs and aspirations of different demographic and market groups. These insights will be used to shape a shortlist of potential options, with the most viable tested before a preferred proposal is developed.
The council is particularly keen to hear from young people, including those who may never have been inside the Pavilion but recognise its importance to Torbay’s identity and future. Their views will be vital in understanding how the building can play a meaningful role in revitalising and reimagining the Bay, as well as creating new year-round employment opportunities in the arts and culture sector.
Prize draw to encourage participation
To encourage as many people as possible to take part, all consented respondents living in the Torbay and South Devon area will be entered into a prize draw.
Two prizes are available:
A pair of tickets to What’s Love Got to Do With It at the Princess Theatre on Sunday 25 January
A £50 Love2Shop voucher for participants aged under 25
The Princess Theatre tickets have been generously provided by ATG, reflecting the strong partnership between the council and the theatre and a shared commitment to ensuring the Pavilion thrives with future programming that complements the Princess Theatre’s offer.
The winner of the theatre tickets will be announced and contacted on Wednesday 21 January to allow time to prepare for the show. The prize includes tickets only and does not cover travel or any associated costs.
The £50 voucher winner will be selected after the consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 25 January. All winners will be notified by email or telephone, and participants must provide contact details when completing the consultation form.
Ways to get involved
People can take part by completing:
The online consultation form, open until midnight on Sunday 25 January
A paper copy of the survey, available at Torquay Library between Wednesday 7 and Wednesday 21 January
Take part online at:
www.torbay.gov.uk/torquay-pavilion-future-options/
Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said:
“Torquay Pavilion is one of our most treasured landmarks, and this Options Appraisal is a vital step toward securing its long-term future.
We want the community to help shape what comes next, and we’re especially keen to hear from young people who may not have been inside the building but understand its importance to Torbay’s identity and future. Their ideas and aspirations will play a crucial role in reimagining the Pavilion as a vibrant, year-round destination that supports our wider cultural regeneration and creates new employment opportunities in the arts and culture sector.
This consultation is a chance for everyone to influence the Pavilion’s next chapter, and we hope as many people as possible will take part.”
Next steps
Alongside the public consultation, the appointed consultants are carrying out robust market analysis to identify what type of venue would work best, and to ensure future restoration plans meet the needs of both the local community and visitors while remaining financially sustainable.
They are also undertaking comparator research into similar heritage buildings in coastal towns to understand what has worked well elsewhere and what challenges others have faced.
Insights from the consultation and research will be used to develop a shortlist of potential options. The consultants will then provide recommendations to the council for a preferred option to inform the development of a business case. The outcome of this work is expected to be presented to the council at the end of April.
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