The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is excited to announce support for the Gorleston Pavilion Trust with £140,000 of Heritage Impact Fund loan investment towards the acquisition of the Grade II-listed Pavilion Theatre. The Heritage Impact Fund was launched in 2019 as a social investment fund that can support the delivery of both heritage and social impact, twin aims exemplified by this project.
Designed by J. W. Cockrill, the Pavilion Theatre, with its red brick and terracotta decoration, is a striking landmark on the Gorleston seafront. Originally built in 1898-1901 by Great Yarmouth Borough Council as a shelter hall for holiday makers, the building has had many different uses over the last 126 years, including occupation by the army during the First World War and a radio studio in the 1960s. Saved from closure by local residents in the 1980s, the building has operated as a commercial theatre for the last 40 years.
Images: The exterior (left) and the auditorium (right) of the Pavilion Theatre. Credit - Gorleston Pavilion Trust.
Gorleston Pavilion Trust was established in 2010 as a charitable arts and culture organisation aiming to grow and support the arts in Gorleston and to help young people into arts employment. The Trust has worked closely with the building’s previous owners to establish the Theatre and widen the arts provision in the area. As a result, the 300-seat Pavilion Theatre now offers a diverse programme of comedy, drama, pantomime, drag and musical performances, as well as public open days and the Pavilion Players Stage School for children and young people aged up to 18.
Today, despite its growing programme of popular events, the building requires conservation to bring it back to its former glory and realise its full potential. With the leasehold secured through this funding, the Trust is now able to plan a programme of conservation and enhancement work to further develop the beloved historic theatre into a fully accessible, community-focused arts and culture venue, ensuring its future.
The theatre provides an example of how community-led efforts are supporting the ongoing regeneration and operation of highly significant heritage and cultural assets, particularly in some of our most deprived communities.
Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism, Sir Chris Bryant, said:
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to learn and be involved in the arts close to their home.
"This significant investment by the Architectural Heritage Fund will help regenerate and enhance the handsome 123-year-old Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, allowing it to continue to develop young people's artistic ambitions while providing top class entertainment to Gorleston-on-Sea and Great Yarmouth and the many tourists who visit the Norfolk seaside.”
Matthew Mckeague, Chief Executive of the AHF, said:
“We are extremely pleased to have supported the Gorleston Pavilion Trust with a Heritage Impact Fund loan. Not only will this investment help the Trust to take on the lease of this prominent building on Gorleston seafront, securing its future, but it will act as a catalyst for planning the wider restoration and development of the theatre as an arts and culture venue that will benefit the local community for many years to come.”
Alex Youngs, Chief Executive of Gorleston Pavilion Trust, said:
"We are thrilled to have been able to secure the future of our much-loved seaside venue with this loan funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund. It enables us to move forwards with a decade long plan of renewal for this vital heritage asset and to continue our work enriching the lives of our vibrant community through the arts and supporting people moving into arts employment.”
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