Multi-million theatre revamp due to begin

Work is due to begin on the theatre in the next week

Work on a £5.8m revamp of a theatre is due to begin in the next week.

The Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea will be refurbished with a two-storey extension and new main entrance.

Rochford-based Auburn Group Limited was awarded the contract for the works and will begin on 12 August.

Matt Dent, cabinet member for culture, tourism and business at Southend-on-Sea City Council, said the improvements would only make the venue better.

The installation of a new balcony in 1992 was the last major renovation at the Cliffs Pavilion

"I think it’s going to be fantastic for the city to have an updated and top-of-the-line theatre venue at the heart of Southend. It can only be good for everyone," he added.

The refurbishment will see a two-storey extension with a feature canopy to the east side of the building to form a new main entrance, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

What is described as a modern, brighter, more welcoming entrance and lobby are also planned, in addition to improvement works to the bar, toilets, and lifts.

The external area to the east of the building will be re-landscaped to form a public plaza including new paving, planting, lighting and art.

Willmott Dixon was previously awarded the contract and were due to start work at the venue, on Station Road overlooking the beach in Westcliff-on-Sea, in January.

However the council announced in February it was searching for a new contractor after it emerged the project could have gone over budget.