De La Warr Pavilion and Rother District Council have revealed their masterplan to conserve and enhance the iconic Grade 1 listed building over the next decade.

The plan addresses conservation and refurbishment issues, seeks to improve access for artists and visitors across the town, district and region and streamlines operations to increase the venue’s viability.

This ambitious masterplan developed by a design team led by architects Haworth Tompkins, presents a roadmap to complete the work which includes;

• Increasing access for artists and visitors
• Working on the auditorium which missed out on investment in 2005
• Refurbishing gallery spaces
• Re-aligning learning and event spaces, that connect the community with the building, landscape and sea
• Improving commercial operations that allow the organisation to grow, and to support the longer-term conservation of the building
• The installation of efficient systems that move us towards net zero

Stewart Drew, Director and CEO, De La Warr Pavilion, said: “Earl De La Warr’s vision for our amazing building was a People’s Palace that would drive the growth, prosperity and culture of the area. We want to be more relevant to more people and are hugely excited about the potential of this project to reach the more disadvantaged communities in our area and continue to be a catalyst for growth and prosperity. More spaces and better facilities mean we will be able to dramatically increase creative engagement, deliver high quality skills training including T Levels, provide flexible learning spaces, and attract new visitors.”

The masterplan will be delivered through a series of phased works, starting with the auditorium and foyers, with further phases delivered in line with fundraising activity.

It also seeks to create an environment where the organisation can have increased impact on the communities it serves, bringing international artists and performers to the region, but also reaching out to co-develop creative and skills programmes such as Coastal Catalyst, Talent Accelerator and Creative Sidley.

The project, which has links with with Heart of Sidley to support their new Community Hub, is funded by Government Levelling Up funding and supported by a Heritage Fund development grant.

Cllr Doug Oliver, leader of Rother District Council, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded government funding to level up community, creativity and skills in Rother. This investment gives us the opportunity to harness the potential of the iconic De La Warr Pavilion, providing learning and skills opportunities as well as creating new jobs. It will also enable us to work with Heart of Sidley (Big Local) to develop a much-needed community and recreation facility in the heart of Sidley, which will support the local community. The funding will be transformative for our communities.”

Ends.

Published: 11th April 2025