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Improving Weston-super-Mare

Tropicana

Experienced venue operator opportunity

North Somerset Council is looking for an experienced venue operator to lease the Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare under a concession contract for at least 20 years following major refurbishment. More information can be found in our news release Operator sought for Weston “iconic” entertainment venue.

A overhead shot at night of the Tropicana as it was when Banky's Dismaland was here in 2015. There are multi-coloured bright lights everywhere, and people lined up outside the front of the venue.

The Tropicana is an iconic building on Weston-super-Mare’s seafront. 

This unique entertainment venue has played host to notable events and celebrities since it opened in 1937. 

Notable performers and events include

  • Hollywood greats such as Laurel and Hardy and Diana Dors
  • internationally-renowned street artist Banksy and his 2015 ‘Dismaland – Bemusement Park’
  • SEE MONSTER art installation 

Once an outdoor pool, the space now offers dynamic and flexible indoor and outdoor events space suitable for a diverse range of art forms. 

Plans for improvement

 We want to regenerate the Tropicana to 

  • provide purpose built indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces
  • increase capacity
  • elevate its status as a nationally significant multi-use entertainment venue. 

To allow construction and refurbishment work to take place we need to temporarily close the Tropicana. It is due to close in September 2024. 

Building surveys have highlighted priority areas including

  • roofing
  • heating
  • lighting
  • ventilation systems
  • wall and flooring repairs
  • drainage
  • upgrades to the toilet facilities. 

Work is currently scheduled to finish by the end of 2025. 

While the proposals include some restoration of the existing building on the promenade, the focus of the new Tropicana design is to create a brand-new building for events within the existing internal space. 

New operator

As well as the regeneration and refurbishment work, we are also currently working to identify and appoint a new operator for the site. As part of running the Tropicana with a long-term lease, the operator will plan and manage the programme of events. 

It is hoped that a new operator would be appointed to fit out and reopen the Tropicana shortly after work completes in 2025. 

How to get involved

In February 2024, we announced that we had appointed architecture practice RCKa to design the new Tropicana. They will also deliver a programme to get people involved in that process. 

Press release - Tropicana moves closer to refurbishment

The Tropicana is a landmark with a rich history, key to local heritage and identity. Local people have taken part in a number of consultation and engagement projects along the way. This work has led to the current proposals for the future of the Tropicana.  

People will be able to comment on final proposals when they are submitted as a planning application later in 2024. 

The project also aims to provide new opportunities for everyone in the local community to get involved, including: 

  • Public archive – internationally acclaimed artist S Mark Gubb, alongside local artists, will deliver a programme where people can share their experiences and memories of the Tropicana. These will be recorded, presented in an accessible format and preserved within a community archive. 
  • Design – the information gathered will also inform the design proposals and a co-created piece of art, which will form a permanent design element of the new Tropicana. 

Thanks to our funder

This project has been made possible thanks to the council’s successful bid for £20 million from the UK government. 

This is part of North Somerset Council’s ambitious placemaking vision for Weston.