Plans to revive a historic seaside town have been given the green-light, raising hopes it could be restored to its former glory.
Weston-super-Mare’s former art deco lido, the Tropicana, has been bought by entertainment company Live Nation, which plans to turn the abandoned site into an events venue.
North Somerset councillors approved plans to offer a 25-year lease to transform the Tropicana – which closed in 2000 – into a year-round event space with a capacity of up to 10,000.
Council leader Mike Bell said: “This decision is great news and a significant step forward in the rebirth of the Tropicana.”
The council secured a £20million grant from the Government to help redevelop key sites such as Grade II-listed 19th century Birnbeck Pier and Marine Lake in addition to the former lido.
North Somerset Council will also receive £2.7million of capital funding for the Tropicana from the Government’s Cultural Development Fund.
The Tropicana has previously been in the spotlight after artist Banksy transformed the site into “bemusement” park Dismaland, which was described by the artist as a “family theme park unsuitable for children”.
The art installation – which intentionally utilised the venue’s decay – attracted 150,000 visitors and reportedly gave the local economy a £20million boost.
The Tropicana has sat in dereliction since it closed in 2000
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The purchase of the site has drawn comparisons to Dreamland in Margate, which was purchased by Live Nation in 2023, who transformed the failing vintage theme park into a music and cultural hub.
Eddie Kemsley, a senior vice-president at Live Nation, told The Guardian: “We developed a live music programme at Dreamland in Margate which really put it back on the map.
“Over the last 10 years, we’ve seen more hotels and restaurants open, we’ve seen a real night-time economy. I feel that’s a business we can look to and ask: how can we use some of that here?”
Five places in Weston-super-Mare rank among the most deprived areas in England.
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The Tropicana was home to Banksy’s art installation Dismaland in 2015
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A high proportion of residents report long-term health conditions and a housing stock dominated by poor quality houses in multiple occupation.
Rose Swann, 71, said the town needed upgrading in order to boost the economy.
She said: “This is the help we need to bring people here. It’s pretty bad, we need upgrading.
“We are slowly declining. We need to boost the economy here.”
North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell said the approval was a ‘significant step forward in the rebirth of the Tropicana’
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And Adele Stitch, 46, said she remembered when the lido was a thriving location, adding she “really missed it”.
“If they’re bringing big artists, it will bring lots of people; it’s good for Weston. It’s such an iconic place,” she said.
Mr Bell, leader of the council, said he had ambitions for the likes of Olivia Dean and Dua Lipa.
“Let’s get some of these big stars here. We’ve just talked about a Eurovision bid, who knows,” he added.