Live Nation, the global entertainment company behind major music festivals and venues, has secured a 25-year lease to transform the abandoned Tropicana lido in Weston-super-Mare into a year-round event space with a capacity of up to 10,000 people. The decision, approved by North Somerset councillors on Tuesday, marks a significant step in reviving the coastal town's fortunes.
A New Chapter for a Historic Site
The Tropicana opened in 1937 as a shimmering art deco lido, attracting thousands of visitors to bathe in the Somerset sun. However, changing travel habits and the rise of cheap Mediterranean holidays led to its decline, and it closed in 2000. For 15 years, the site sat derelict, becoming a symbol of the town's struggles.
Now, Live Nation plans to breathe new life into the venue, hosting concerts and events that could draw global stars. The project is part of a broader regeneration effort that includes upgrading the nearly 100-year-old marine lake and renovating the Grade II* listed Birnbeck Pier.
Economic Revival Hopes
Weston-super-Mare faces significant challenges, with five areas ranking among the most deprived 5% in England. High rates of long-term health conditions and poor-quality housing have created what experts call "coastal excess." Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset council, said: "We have definitely been stuck in a little bit of a cycle of decline... What we needed is some catalytic investment that was going to increase numbers. Build it and people will come."
The Tropicana previously gained attention in 2015 when artist Banksy transformed it into Dismaland, a "bemusement park" that boosted the local economy by an estimated £20 million. Unlike that temporary installation, the Live Nation proposal aims for a permanent, sustainable future, preserving the original 1930s facade while creating a community space.
Inspired by Dreamland
Live Nation's success with Dreamland in Margate serves as a blueprint. Eddie Kemsley, senior vice-president at Live Nation, noted: "We developed a live music programme at Dreamland in Margate which really put it back on the map. Over the last 10 years, we've seen more hotels and restaurants open, we've seen a real night-time economy. I feel that's a business we can look to and ask: how can we use some of that here?"
Local residents are optimistic. Rose Swann, 71, said: "We really need something like this in this town... all seaside towns are fading. This is the help we need to bring people here." Adele Stitch, 46, a dance school principal, added: "If they're bringing big artists, it will bring lots of people; it's good for Weston. It's such an iconic place."
A Vision for the Future
Bell envisions Weston as a "growing, vibrant, increasingly youthful city by the sea" with a population approaching 100,000. The goal is to attract not only tourists but also high-end hotel investment. "I want to see Olivia Dean here. I want to see Dua Lipa. Let's get some of these big stars here," he said, even hinting at a potential Eurovision bid.
The transformation of the Tropicana is seen as a catalyst for broader change, offering hope that the town can shed its image as a "declining, dying Victorian resort" and embrace a new era of cultural and economic vitality.
