Emerging plans for De La Warr Pavilion revealed
De La Warr Pavilion and Rother District Council are delighted to reveal their masterplan to conserve and enhance the iconic Grade 1 listed building over the next decade.
Based on twenty years of operations in its current model, and ninety years since opening in 1935, the emerging plans seek to address pressing conservation and refurbishment issues, widen engagement across the town, district and region, and streamline operations to increase organisational business viability and economic impact regionally.
The unrealised original ambitions for the site and subsequent limited investment in the fabric of the building over the decades is a constant challenge for the Pavilion in its seaside location. The 2005 John McAslan scheme was a highly ambitious and successful project, which has since welcomed over seven million people through the doors, however the original fabric investment of c.£20m was highly cost engineered and eventually delivered for just £8m.
This thoughtful and ambitious masterplan scheme developed by a design team led by architects Haworth Tompkins, gives us a roadmap to complete works through the site, addressing practical challenges that include:
- Increased welcome and access for artists and visitors.
- Care of the Grade 1 Listed Building.
- An auditorium that missed out on investment in 2005 and is in need of urgent attention.
- Refurbished gallery spaces.
- Re-aligned learning and event spaces, that connect the community with the building, landscape and sea.
- Commercial operations that allow the organisation to grow, and to support the longer-term conservation of the building.
- Efficient systems that move us towards net zero.
The Levelling Up government funded project, also supported by a Heritage Fund development grant, seeks to create an environment where the organisation can have increased impact on the communities it serves, bringing international artists and performers to the region, but also reaching out to co-develop creative and skills programmes such as Coastal Catalyst, Talent Accelerator and Creative Sidley. Our project also works closely with Heart of Sidley to support their new Community Hub.
The masterplan will be delivered through a series of phased works, starting with the auditorium and foyers, with further phases delivered in line with fundraising activity.
A public consultation on the emerging plans is taking place in the Rooftop Foyer at the De La Warr Pavilion between 2 and 6 April 2025 where feedback can be shared via questionnaires during your visit.
This ambitious project needs your support to become a reality. To be part of our story and support our ambitious plans please speak to Jessica Cheetham on 01424 229 102 or jessica.cheetham@dlwp.com.
Further resources
Posted by Cassandra Ash on Thursday 3 April 2025