Hopes high for Pavilion
An historical theatre and cinema has been handed Government funding to help bring the building back into use.
Restoration plans for an historic theatre and cinema in Selsey have been boosted by a government grant.
The Selsey Pavilion Trust, a charity working to acquire and restore Selsey Pavilion, has received significant backing from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF).
The pavilion, originally Selsey Hall, is based in the High Street and was built in 1913. It was a rare and ‘uniquely original’ early 20thcentury music hall, cinema, theatre and community hub but fell into disrepair since closing its doors in the 1960s.
A grant, totalling £15,000, will support developing a robust community-led feasibility study, business plan and fundraising strategy.
This has been described as an ‘important stage’, if the trust’s aspirations of returning the Pavilion to community use ‘are to be realised’.
Trustee and Selsey resident Christian Skelton said it is a ‘very exciting step’, adding: “This is the beginning of a long journey.
“We have spent a long time looking at ways we can get this project off the ground. There are so many hurdles.
“It’s about returning these old buildings that have fallen into disrepair back into vibrant community use. The Pavilion fits the bill perfectly.”
Mr Skelton said Selsey High Street is ‘positioned perfectly’ and offers a ‘chance for us to do something long-term for the community’.