A proposal has been put forward for Princess Pavilion to be taken over and reopened by a community group.

A general manager of the Princess Pavilion is exploring this option, sharing a survey with the community to sound out interest in the idea.

Rather than allowing the building to sit empty, a group created called 'Friends of the Princess Pavilion' believes that the community could take over the management of the Pavilion and make it a community asset again.

Hayley May, who was the pavilion general manager until recently said:

"As many of you will be aware, the Princess Pavilion has been closed since March, and is remaining closed for the remainder of the year under its current tenants (likely until Spring 2021). This means that my whole team are out of jobs, and this venue will be allowed to sit empty until someone does something about it.

"There is a possibility that the Pavilion can be taken over, and re-opened, by a community group, if there is sufficient interest in doing so.

"I'm starting this process now, by gathering the communities thoughts on the Pavilion and its operation."

Residents poured in with support for the move, one resident commented:

"Oh yes, I would love to help it stay open we love the gardens and would always take friends to the cafe there."

A second resident said:

"We moved here just before lockdown and loved walking through here, had lunch and coffee there a couple of times. We were looking forward to seeing some live shows there, so very disappointed not to be able to."

A third resident said:

"Should be open now, can see no good reason it had been shut for so long, the theatre part I understand but the cafe and gardens should have been open long ago."

Click here take the survey.

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