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Right now, Weston-super-Mare\u2019s Tropicana is a sad, derelict shell of what it once was. When it opened in 1937 was Europe\u2019s largest open-air swimming pool and had the tallest diving board in the continent \u2013 for decades, it was a flourishing seaside landmark.<\/p>\n
In the 1980s, it was\u00a0rebranded as\u00a0Tropicana and\u00a0installed with a wave machine and water slides, but by 2000 it had fallen into disrepair and was forced to close. It\u2019s only real moment of excitement in the last 20 years was when Banksy turned it into his depressing \u2018bemusement park\u2019 Dismaland in 2015 (pictured below).<\/p>\n However,\u00a0the future is\u00a0finally looking brighter for Tropicana. Soon,\u00a0it could start a new life as a major music venue. On May 12, North Somerset councillors voted to approve a 25-year-lease to global entertainment company Live Nation, which plans to turn Tropicana into a 10,000-capacity event space.\u00a0<\/p>\n Live Nation already has experience turning a tired seaside destination into a thriving cultural hub. It developed a live music programme for Margate\u2019s Dreamland. Subject to securing planning\u00a0permission and licensing approval, it\u2019s hoped\u00a0that the venue will reopen by 2028 to bring a \u2018programme of world class live entertainment\u2019. Tickets sold for events at Tropicana will include a \u2018restoration levy\u2019 to fund the maintenance of the venue.\u00a0<\/p>\n Leaders say that the new space will ultimately increase footfall to the town, give local businesses a boost and create more skills and employment opportunities for the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mike Bell, the leader of Somerset Council told the Guardian<\/a><\/em>: \u2018Our ambition now is to try and make this into a sustainable, exciting live event space that will survive into the future. I want to see Olivia Dean here. I want to see Dua Lipa. Let\u2019s get some of these big stars here. We\u2019ve just talked about a Eurovision bid, who knows.\u2019<\/p>\n Eddie Kemsley, senior vice president of Boutique Events UK for Live Nation, said: \u2018We look forward to working with local businesses, stakeholders and members of the public and community in the coming months to ensure a successful and happy start to this next chapter for the venue.\u2019<\/p>\n ICYMI:\u00a0This last-of-its-kind lido near London will soon reopen after a major glow-up<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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