Weymouth Pavilion could be demolished

Groups are vehemently opposed to any such plan and have urged the council not to send the bulldozers in.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council says it must consider its options if the redevelopment scheme for the Pavilion and Ferry Terminal site does not go ahead.

Maintaining the 49-year-old complex is expensive and the council acknowledges it cannot go on as it is. A number of efficiency savings have been made in recent years but it still costs taxpayers more than £600,000 a year, which works out at over £1,800 a day.

If it is kept open the council will have to spend more than £5 million on structural work as well as a sum on work around the Ferry Terminal.

Councillors will have some tough decisions to make in light of budget cuts over the next few years, it is warned.

They met in private earlier this month to formulate questions to help officers draw up a report that will be presented to the Management Committee on July 7.

It will detail potential costs and issues to be considered if the Pavilion is kept open, closed or demolished.

Tearing it down is a move that is unpopular with theatre users.

President of WOW Youth Musical Theatre Janet Stockley argued managers should book more popular artists rather than rely on tribute acts. She also believes better use could be made of the restaurant.

Mrs Stockley said: “A seaside town without a theatre or has one that is boarded up gives the impression that it’s not a successful place.”

She added: “The reason we put on shows is because we have this wonderful theatre.

“We’re very lucky because the youngsters can see what it’s like to perform in a theatre which has professional sets and a live orchestra.

“We’ve started to look for alternative venues but it would be a great pity if they pulled it down.”

Europa Capital has until the end of July to take over the redevelopment scheme proposed by Howard Holdings.

Management Committee chairman Mike Goodman said councillors have been given the opportunity to discuss options if Europa does not step in. He stressed no decisions had been made yet.

Coun Goodman said: “In the current climate we think it will take five years before building can start on any new scheme so we have to consider what we must do and the implications if the current project fails.

“We have some very hard decisions coming up as we have to find £2.8 million worth of savings over the next five years.”

DEVELOPER Howard Holdings proposed a £150 million redevelopment scheme for the Pavilion and ferry terminal site.

It included a mix of leisure, residential and commercial units as well as a new marina and theatre.

The firm failed to press ahead with the scheme, resulting in Weymouth and Portland Borough Council taking insolvency action this year to wind up the company’s local operation.

An agreement allows Howard Holdings’ funding partner Europa Capital to step in and take over the scheme and it has until the end of July to do this.

If Europa does not move in the council will have to rethink its options until a new developer is selected.