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Historic Blackpool
Theatre Wins Share of £3m Restoration Funding
BLACKPOOL Winter Gardens has won
£50,000 funding from the Government to help restore the historic Pavilion
Theatre, it was revealed.
The 137 year old theatre was placed on the Theatre's Trust's 'At Risk'
register in 2014; an indication of the vital need for investment to protect
the venue's long-term future.
Communities Minister Brandon Lewis today announced the Pavilion Theatre;
part of the world famous Grade II Winter Gardens building; is among 77
projects across Great Britain to receive a share of £3 million coastal
revival funding.
The £50,000 granted to Blackpool Winter Gardens will be used to restore the
walls of the Pavilion Theatre which is the proposed location for the
Blackpool Museum.
Michael Williams, managing director of the Winter Gardens, said:-
"This is wonderful news and testament to the hard work done in putting
together a compelling bid. It is also recognition of how vital such historic
theatres as the Pavilion are. Although still a very beautiful and
atmospheric place, the Pavilion is in need of significant repair and
restoration. The roof needs attention to protect the interiors and this
funding will ensure the works are completed as soon as possible to prevent
any further issues."
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said:-
"This funding is a welcome boost towards our long term aim of creating a
museum for Blackpool which would be located in the Pavilion Theatre.
Not only will the museum create a new tourist attraction to boost the
Blackpool economy, it will also safeguard this beautiful theatre to ensure
it continues to be used for decades to come."
Created as a concert hall in 1878, the Pavilion was converted to a theatre
in 1889. A major re-building took place in 1897, resulting in a splendidly
opulent apsidal ended music hall.
The beautiful plasterwork, designed by J M Boekbinder, was completed in
1904. In the 1920s it became a picture palace and by the 1950's was used for
summer shows. Household names such as Morecambe and Wise and Tommy Cooper
performed there.
Blackpool Council is currently formulating plans for a multi million pound,
interactive heritage museum; situated within the Pavilion; which will tell
the story of how Blackpool became 1 of the world's biggest tourist
resorts.
The announcement by the Government sees 77 national projects; ranging from
theatres to piers and lidos to lighthouses; each receive coastal revival
funding grants of up to £50,000 to kick-start restoration work.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said:- "Many of the
projects which will be funded through the Coastal Revival Fund will help to
conserve our special coastal heritage.
The historic buildings and places around our shores tell the story of our
nation, from fishing ports and defensive structures to pleasure beaches and
parks.
Several of the sites are on our Heritage at Risk Register and require urgent
action before they are lost. This government funding will help a variety of
community groups who look after these wonderful places to take important
steps to revive them and ensure they play a continuing role in seaside
economies."
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