Swindon & Wiltshire News
Brakes put on Tropicana Live Nation deal
Councillors in North Somerset have deferred a decision on the future of Weston-super-Mare’s Tropicana, delaying a vote on whether Live Nation should become the venue’s operator under a potential 25-year lease.
The move means the long-awaited plan to bring the seafront landmark back into use will have to wait for another council meeting.
Live Nation had been lined up as the preferred operator for the Tropicana, with North Somerset Council saying the company could sign an “agreement for lease” if councillors approved the deal.
The plan would see the site refurbished and turned into a major live entertainment venue with capacity for about 10,000 people.
The council had presented the proposal as a major step in the regeneration of Weston’s seafront, with officials arguing that the partnership would bring concerts, events and wider economic benefits to the area.
North Somerset Council also said the Tropicana could reopen in 2028, subject to planning agreement.
The decision has now been put back after councillors chose to adjourn the debate rather than sign off on the operator deal immediately. The vote and discussion on the future operator were deferred until the next council meeting in May.
The delay adds fresh uncertainty to a project that has already been under close public scrutiny, especially because the operator decision is tied to the broader refurbishment programme.
The council has been renovating the building with government support, and the operator agreement is central to the next stage of the scheme.
If the council eventually approves the proposal, Live Nation would manage the Tropicana for 25 years after the refurbishment is completed. The council says the project has the potential to create a year-round venue for live entertainment and raise Weston-super-Mare’s national profile.
Funding for the redevelopment has included £20 million from the UK government, plus an additional £2.7 million from the Cultural Development Fund. North Somerset Council has described the Tropicana as one of several important regeneration projects across Weston’s town centre and seafront.
The Tropicana has been a long-running talking point in Weston-super-Mare because of its size, location and history as a landmark on the seafront. Supporters argue that a successful operator deal could unlock new investment and help revive the area around the building.
