Council regains control of Torquay Pavilion

The pavilion has been closed since 2013 and needs extensive restoration to be useable

Torbay Council has regained control of Torquay Pavilion after a "lengthy and challenging process", it has confirmed.

The council was due to take back control of the Grade II listed building from tenants Marina Developments Ltd at the end of September but the process was delayed.

Councillor Chris Lewis, deputy leader and cabinet member for place development and economic growth, said: "The pavilion is a vital part of our local heritage, and we are committed to seeing it restored to its former glory.

"We know it has taken us longer than we anticipated to get to this stage, and we appreciate the community’s support and patience."

Repair work

Lewis added: "Now we have full control of the building we can start to move forward with our plans to protect and restore it.

"There is still long way to go until we can open the doors to the pavilion, but this milestone marks a new chapter for us and the community."

The council said a team had already started securing windows inside the building.

It said it would fund the building's initial repair work using Town Deal funding and a fee the council received from the surrender of the lease.

However, a budget to fund the full restoration was yet to be determined by the council.

The authority said it had appointed a commercial agent as part of the next steps.

"A strong preference of the council and the community is to attract an occupier that will enhance Torbay's growing cultural offer and bring additional footfall to the area," it said.