Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre to undergo £2.4m transformation

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) voted through a plan to borrow the funding for a revamp of the Pavilion Theatre's auditorium.

The decision to plough yet more money into the pier, which has received more than £5.5m in funding since 2019, has reignited a well-worn row at the council over whether Cromer receives the lion's share of investment in the district.

The allegation has become a regular fixture at NNDC meetings, with opposition councillors representing towns including Fakenham and North Walsham arguing the Liberal Democrat leadership repeatedly overlooks their areas in favour of the tourism hotspot.

Christopher Cushing argued the money could have been spent on new homes (Image: Henry Durand)

Christopher Cushing, leader of the Conservative group and member for Fakenham North, said the council had not made a strong enough case for the pier spending.

"I don't see that there is actually a compelling business case that has been presented to us to justify the benefits to the north Norfolk taxpayer," he said.

He argued the investment was "a nice to have, not a need to have," and pointed out the money could instead have bought eight average-priced homes in the district.

Work on the theatre is expected to begin in January (Image: Newsquest)

Liz Vickers, a Conservative councillor who also represents Fakenham, accused the administration of dragging its heels in other parts of the district.

"What has struck me is the speed and decisiveness with which you've raced to facilitate this project when you're politically motivated to do so, while dragging your heels in other areas," she said.

Nigel Dixon said: "Yet more investment in Cromer, but still nothing east of North Walsham."

Nigel Dixon also questioned the move (Image: Archant)

Borrowing for the project, rather than dipping into the council's existing reserves, was also questioned.

Victoria Holliday, another Tory, asked: "Why aren't we using those creatively rather than borrowing at the expense of the taxpayer?"

The vote on Wednesday saw 17 councillors back the plan, while the rest of the chamber abstained rather than vote against it.

WHY DOES THE COUNCIL SAY IT'S NEEDED?

The council says the auditorium is the one part of the theatre that has never been modernised, despite recent work to refurbish the front and back of house areas.

Officers argue it is now too cold in winter and too hot in summer for audiences, and that the building's poor insulation and outdated systems are becoming a barrier to ticket sales.

Liberal Democrat councillors defended the investment (Image: Antony Kelly)

Lucy Shires, the Lib Dem cabinet member for finance, defended the spending.

She pointed to the scale of the local tourism economy, which she said is worth an estimated £547m a year to North Norfolk and supports nearly 9,000 jobs.

"A very small increase in tourism activity would offset the annual financing costs associated with this investment," she said.

"Because when people come to the theatre, they simply don't just buy a ticket. They eat in our restaurants, they drink in our cafes and pubs, they stay in our accommodation and they shop in our towns.

"They support local jobs, local businesses, and that spending circulates throughout our economy many times over.

"A refurbished Pavilion Theatre will continue to attract audiences, support jobs, sustain tourism, and protect a nationally significant heritage asset."

The council has also estimated that repairing the pier - which celebrated its 125th anniversary this month - would cost more than £80m if it ever collapsed.

The pier was damaged after a storm in 1993 (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Adam Varley, another Lib Dem, said: "All of us in this chamber are able to progress this. Why wouldn't we want to ensure the longevity of this fantastic facility, which brings so much joy, so much tourism to north Norfolk, and the economic benefits because of that?

"Why wouldn't any of us in this room want to progress that?"

WHAT WORK IS BEING DONE, AND WHEN?

The £2.4m will fund new insulation to the roof, walls and floor of the auditorium, a replacement heating and cooling system, full electrical rewiring, a new fire detection system, and upgraded audio and lighting equipment. The original cast iron-framed seating will also be removed, fully restored and reinstalled.

Work is expected to begin in January 2027, after the theatre's Christmas show, with the venue likely to remain closed for around three months while the refurbishment takes place.