Public asked to help define the next chapter for Torquay Pavilion

Torbay Council are calling on the public to help shape the next chapter of the iconic Torquay Pavilion, as a major new Options Appraisal gets underway.

Led by a small team of local consultants and backed by funding from us, Arts Council England, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this work marks a significant step toward securing a sustainable, long‑term future for one of the Bay’s most treasured heritage landmarks.

The Options Appraisal will explore viable, sustainable uses for the Grade II listed Pavilion, ensuring it can operate as a financially resilient, year-round visitor attraction while preserving its historic and cultural significance.

Torquay Pavilion is one of Torbay’s most recognisable landmarks, holding deep meaning for residents and visitors. Its future is central to protecting local heritage and ensuring the building continues to be enjoyed by the community for generations to come.

The Pavilion plays a key role in our wider vision for cultural and heritage-led regeneration across the Bay.

 Running until Sunday 25 January, the public consultation will gather ideas and gauge public opinion, for the Pavilion’s future. Feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders will help us understand the needs and aspirations of different demographic and market groups. These insights will shape a shortlist of potential uses, with the most viable options tested before a preferred proposal is developed.

The Council  are particularly keen to hear from young people, including those who may never have been inside the Pavilion but recognise its importance to Torbay’s identity and future. Their perspectives are vital in understanding how the building can play a meaningful role in revitalising and reimagining the Bay. The Pavilion has the potential to create new year‑round employment opportunities in the arts and culture sector, and the council wants to ensure that the voices of young people help shape how these future pathways are developed.

To encourage as many people as possible to take part, all consented respondents within the Torbay and South Devon area will be entered into a prize draw. Two prizes are available: a pair of tickets to ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’ at the Princess Theatre on Sunday 25 January, and a £50 Love2Shop voucher for participants aged under 25. The Princess Theatre tickets have been generously provided by ATG, reflecting the strong partnership between us and the theatre and highlighting a shared commitment to ensuring the Pavilion thrives with future programming that complements the Princess Theatre’s offer.

The winner of the theatre tickets will be announced and contacted on Wednesday 21 January to allow time to prepare for the show. The prize includes tickets for the show only and does not cover travel or any associated costs.

The £50 voucher winner will be selected after the consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 25 January. All winners will be notified by email or telephone, so participants must provide their contact details when completing the consultation form.

Ways to get involved:

You can take part by completing

• the online consultation form, which is open until midnight on Sunday 25 January, or.
• a paper copy of the survey at Torquay Library between Wednesday 7 and Wednesday 21 January.

Take part in the online consultation.

Cllr Chris Lewis, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place Development and Economic Growth at Torbay Council, said; “Torquay Pavilion is one of our most treasured landmarks, and this Options Appraisal is a vital step toward securing its long‑term future.

“We want the community to help shape what comes next, and we’re especially keen to hear from young people who may not have been inside the building but understand its importance to Torbay’s identity and future. Their ideas and aspirations will play a crucial role in reimagining the Pavilion as a vibrant, year‑round destination that supports our wider cultural regeneration and creates new employment opportunities in the arts and culture sector.

“This consultation is a chance for everyone to influence the Pavilion’s next chapter, and we hope as many people as possible will take part.”

In addition to the public consultation, the appointed consultants are carrying out robust market analysis to identify what type of venue would work best and to ensure that future restoration plans meet the needs of the local community and visitors while remaining financially sustainable in the long term. They are also undertaking comparator research on similar heritage buildings in coastal towns to understand what works well elsewhere and what challenges others have faced. Insights from the survey and their research will be used to develop a shortlist of potential options, after which the consultants will provide us with recommendations for the preferred option to inform the development of a business case. The outcome of this work is expected to be presented to the council at the end of April.