Seaside town's Tropicana plans 'a modern vision or warehouse eyesore'

-Credit:KTA Architects
-Credit:KTA Architects


Multi-million pound plans to revitalise an iconic 1930s building into Weston-super-Mare and turn it into a venue have split opinion in the town, with some seeing it as a “fresh look” but others saying the proposed building looks like a “1980s warehouse.”

The Tropicana is one of the most beloved features of the town’s iconic seafront. North Somerset Council has won major funding to turn the former lido into a “nationally significant” venue for culture, arts, and entertainment — a move which means replacing the 1980s indoor venue on the site with a new purpose built indoor venue.

But when the planning application went live earlier in January, the proposed design received a negative reaction, with one person saying they were “horrified.” Now more people have commented on the plans, with some defending the design. CGI images of the plans are not exactly how it will appear, as the images highlight the new structure.

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One person said: “While I appreciate and respect other people's opinions, I feel that this new addition to the Tropicana is long overdue and would be a valuable asset to the town and would secure the future of the old building.

“I think the mix of old and new is representative of how the town has grown and a reminder we can't live in the past. That's how the Tropicana got in its current state, by people constantly rejecting development for future generations.”

Another lodging a supporting comment said: “I welcome this change of use, this has been an eyesore for too long. It needs a modern fresh look with the venue being used for multiple events of different types, and it can only attract people from outside the town, encouraging spending in local businesses and boost tourism.”

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One person said: “It may look a little different to what we currently have, but I'm sure the existing building looked 'different' when it was built.

“With the capacity they are aiming for it means Weston can begin to compete with venues in both Bristol and Cardiff for live performances and gigs, and the footfall that goes with this. Those attending need places to stay, places to eat, places to shop.

“Could this be the catalyst and the kick up the pants that our town needs? I believe so.”

Nine people have so far left comments in support of the plans — but 47 people have lodged objections. One objector warned: “It looks like a 1980s warehouse has been dropped inside the Tropicana! [...] It would be a total eyesore on the horizon.”

Another said: “The design is totally unsympathetic to the existing Tropicana building. Rather than flatter, the proposals will flatten the existing 20th century frontage, rendering it squat and dumpy. The design is too big and boxy, overwhelming the surrounding area. Juxtaposing big and boxy on the flat sands of Weston should work, but not in this case.”

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In the design and access statement submitted with the planning application, architects KTA said the design was partially inspired by the Turner Contemporary Gallery in Margate and by the craggy rocks and white-tipped breaking waves of the coastal location. The statement said: “The form also references the character of Weston-super-Mare, from the pop-up installations, 1930s diving board, and board walk structures, to music events and temporary roller coasters.”

It added: “The new development will be prominent in certain local views, however, it is at home with existing modern development along the seafront and has a place within the evolving story of the seafront of Weston.”

The consultation on the planning application is open until February 18. The council’s executive member for culture and leisure, Mike Solomon (Hutton and Locking, Liberal Democrat), said, as the plans went live: “The submission of this planning application marks a key milestone in the life of the Tropicana. This iconic landmark building has seen several changes over the years since opening in 1937 and the new proposed designs support our vision to create a fit for purpose entertainment venue.”

He added: “I encourage people to take the time to look through the planning application on our website and I hope that they will be pleased with the latest designs. I’m particularly encouraged to see the reduction in total height within the design for the new building, while retaining the ability to change colour of lighting, which will provide an interesting and useful addition to the seafront skyline, especially at night.

“Reinventing this key destination at the heart of Weston’s seafront will create new jobs, support local businesses and deliver a year-round experience-led economy for the future. We want to attract higher profile acts, culture and entertainment events to elevate Weston’s place within the regional, national and international scene.”

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But one person lodging an objection, who said they lived opposite the Tropicana and had lived in the town for more than two years, said they were concerned about the potential for noise from late night events and by the “unnecessary and unsightly” height of the proposed building. They said: “We chose here based on slowing the pace of life down, being next to the sea and enjoying all of the wonders that Weston-super-Mare has to offer, along with the location and having uninterrupted stunning views of Weston's beach. We love living here and now see it as our home. If this proposed planning permission goes ahead, we are very likely to put our home on the market and look to move away from Weston.”

Not all neighbours agree. One person commenting in support said: “Tropicana is at the end of the street where I live (owner) on Clevedon Road. I love the plans and am really excited about them.”

The Tropicana closed as a swimming pool in 2000 and there have long been calls to restore it to its former purpose, but there are no plans to do so. Previous attempts to bring in a commercial partner to restore a pool at the venue proved “unviable.”

After closing as a pool in 2000, the Tropicana stood vacant for years until Banksy used it as the setting for his Dismaland bemusement park in 2015. Since then, North Somerset Council has run the Tropicana as an events space for hire, recently hosting the iconic SEE Monster in 2022, but it does not cover operational costs and the building is in need of repair. North Somerset Council is now in the process of procuring an operator to run the venue for the next 20 years.

The current transformation of the Tropicana is being funded by £8.7m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund. Last week, the council revealed it had won another £2.7m from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund for the plans.

The planning application for the work on the Tropicana still needs to be approved by North Somerset Council before the work can start. If approved on schedule, the work is due to complete by March 2026. The appointed venue operator would then complete their fit out and reopen the Tropicana shortly afterwards.

The venue closed earlier in January for the works. The Bay Cafe and the Makers Market concessions are expected to remain open until after the Easter holidays.

You can view and comment on the plans here.