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Councillors will hear about the latest updates on our ambitious placemaking vision for the town at a meeting next Tuesday (17 September).
Birnbeck Pier
The first stage of work to carry out emergency repairs on this important site was approved by councillors last month, and planning applications for different stages of the project are also progressing well.
The Birnbeck Pier restoration project is wholly funded by grants we’ve obtained, from the RNLI, UK government, National Heritage Memorial Fund - emergency funding from the UK government Cultural Assets Fund (CAF), the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
The grants cannot be used to fund other council services such as road improvements or additional services.
We’re also grateful for the continued support of local people to these projects, including the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust and the Friends of the Old Pier.
Find out more about the Birnbeck Pier project on our website.
See plans for the Tropicana
Would you like to see what’s planned for Weston’s iconic seafront venue, the Tropicana?
A drop-in information event is happening from 11am to 3pm at the venue tomorrow (Saturday 14 September).
Award-winning architecture firm RCKa is hosting this event for local people to find out more about the proposed designs for the building, which include works to enhance existing facilities, boost capacity to more than 5,000 people and create a nationally renowned, multi-use entertainment space.
You’re also invited to share your memories, stories and experiences of the Tropicana to contribute to a social history project being led by internationally acclaimed artist S Mark Gubb and local artist Karen Barry.
The pair are gathering people’s memories, stories, anecdotes and unseen photographs from the different lives of the Tropicana.
Along with archive material held locally, these will be used in workshops with local students to produce new creative work celebrating the Tropicana and its rich history.
If you have any memories, anecdotes or photographs you’d like to share, email Mark and Karen at mytropicana@hotmail.com
Our vision for the site is for it to become a nationally significant venue for culture, arts and entertainment.
The major refurbishment work is currently scheduled to finish by December 2025 and we’re now looking for a new experienced venue operator to run it for at least 20 years.
For more information about the contract opportunity, visit the Supplying the South West procurement website (reference: DN740601). Requests must be received by 11am on Friday 4 October.
Potential operators interested in finding out more are invited to attend one of two open events at the venue next week:
- Tuesday (17 September) from 2pm to 5pm
- Wednesday (18 September) from 10am to 1pm
Operators should request a place by emailing the address on the Supplying the South West website.
The Tropicana is one of several high-profile sites across Weston’s town centre and seafront set to be improved as part of a programme of work made possible thanks to our successful bid for £20m from the UK government.
Marine Lake improvement works
Work has been taking place at Marine Lake this week as part of our wider improvement proposals for the popular site.
The lake is currently closed while work is carried out but it is due to reopen at 9am on Monday (16 September), with expected high tides overlapping the causeway and refilling it.
During this week’s closure there has been work to the sluice gates as well as surveys and enabling work on the lower walkway.
Our wider plans include improving walkways, steps and ramps, and other enhancements including upgrading and re-opening the public toilets, which is due to be completed next year.
This is part of a programme of work made possible thanks to our successful bid for £20m from the UK government.
Find out more about Marine Lake on our website.