Council urged to save Pavilion from vandals

The Pavilion has been closed to the public since 2012

Campaigners trying to save the Pavilion on Torquay’s harbourside say vandalism and neglect are putting the historic building at risk.

Now their legal advisors are warning Torbay Council that it must act before it is too late to save the former theatre.

They say vandals who have smashed windows and forced their way into the Pavilion have created an unacceptable risk.

The council said it already has a team assessing the condition of the building, as well as how to protect it from further damage.

'Threat is real'

The building on the resort's harbourside was first opened on Saturday 17 August 1912 as a concert hall, cinema and theatre.

It received Grade II listed status in 1973 before in later years being converted into a skating rink and a shopping arcade.

However, it was closed to the public in 2012.

A letter to the council from solicitors acting for the Save Torquay Pavilion group says: "Given the sad repeated history of arson in abandoned buildings in Torquay, the threat to the heritage asset is real and continuing."

The letter threatens to hold the council "accountable" if damage is caused as a result of neglect, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Torbay Council is due to take full ownership of the building back from long-term leaseholders MDL Marinas in the next two weeks, with a pledge to make a start on restoring it to its former glory.

Restoration plan

No future use has yet been specified but the council has previously considered culture, food and drink, heritage and leisure uses.

Torbay Council deputy leader Chris Lewis, said a council team was assessing the condition of the building, including work needed "as soon as possible to protect it from further damage", he said.

"Conversations are also happening with interested parties regarding the future use of the building," he said.

"Torbay Council is committed to restoring The Pavilion and will share more information on its restoration plans in early October."