Plans to transform Weston-super-Mare's Tropicana into a 5,000-seater venue could receive the green light next week, with a planning meeting scheduled for May 14, 2025. This ambitious project aims to breathe new life into the former 1930s lido, which has been closed since 2000 and has a rich history, including its use as the setting for Banksy's Dismaland theme park in 2015.
Originally opened as an open-air lido in 1937, the Tropicana became a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. However, it fell into disrepair after its closure as a swimming pool in 2000. For years, the building stood vacant until it was revitalized, albeit temporarily, by Banksy, who turned it into a satirical art installation called Dismaland. This unique project featured a Ferris wheel, carousel, and various artworks, drawing attention from around the world during its brief run from August 21 to September 27, 2015.
Now, after years of stagnation, the Tropicana is set for a major overhaul. The North Somerset Council received £20 million from the government's Levelling Up Fund in 2022, a portion of which is earmarked for the Tropicana's transformation. The plans include restoring the iconic 1930s frontage on the promenade while demolishing the indoor venue built in the 1980s to make way for a new structure.
Critics of the original design unveiled in January 2025 described it as "brutalist" and likened it to a "1980s warehouse." In response to community feedback, architects have adjusted the design, reducing the height of the proposed building and changing its exterior from bright white to a more subdued mottled light grey. The revised plans have garnered positive recommendations from planning officers, who noted that the new design would be visually acceptable, provided that the final materials are carefully selected.
The revamped venue is expected to have significant economic benefits for the local tourism economy, creating 15 full-time jobs and hundreds of part-time positions for large events. The planning officers' report ahead of the meeting highlights the importance of the Tropicana as a new leisure facility for both local residents and visitors. It states, "The resulting economic benefits to the local tourism economy and creation of new leisure facilities for both local residents and visitors will be significant." The venue is designed to host up to 1,000 people indoors and accommodate a total of 5,000 across the entire site.
Funding for the project includes £8.7 million from the Levelling Up Fund and an additional £2.7 million from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport's Cultural Development Fund. The council's commitment to rejuvenating the Tropicana aligns with broader efforts to enhance the cultural and entertainment offerings in Weston-super-Mare, which is being positioned as "Shoreditch-on-Sea" with a £20 million revamp.
In addition to its historical significance, the Tropicana's future as a performance venue reflects a growing trend in the UK, where former leisure facilities are being repurposed to meet the evolving needs of communities. The new Tropicana is expected to feature decorative lighting displays and will serve as a hub for cultural events, arts, and entertainment.
As the planning committee prepares to make its decision, local residents and stakeholders are hopeful that the project will move forward, providing a much-needed boost to the area's economy and revitalizing a landmark that has long been a part of Weston-super-Mare's identity. The anticipation surrounding the Tropicana's transformation is palpable, and many are eager to see how this historic site will evolve into a modern venue that honors its past while embracing the future.
With the planning meeting just around the corner, the community's eyes will be on the council as they weigh the potential impacts of this significant redevelopment. The Tropicana's journey from a neglected lido to a vibrant cultural venue exemplifies the power of community engagement and investment in revitalizing local heritage.
