Editing Cliffs Pavilion (section)

===Pavilion refurbishment 2024-2025 ===
It was announced in November 2021 that the operator, Trafalgar Theatres and owner, Southend-on-Sea City Council had applied for planning permission for a major refurbishment of the Cliffs Pavilion costing £8 million, with £5.5 million provided by the UK government through the Levelling Up fund.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-59165618|title=Cliffs Pavilion: Plans approved for multi-million pound theatre refurbishment|website=BBC|date=4 November 2021}}</ref> The plan would see extensive improvements, with a major expansion of the restaurant, a new entrance and lobby to improve the customer experience, an upgraded ventilation system, a new outdoor piazza, bars, toilets, changing facilities and lifts. The redevelopment was due to begin in early 2024, with the building works to be completed by contractor [[Willmott Dixon]], and were planned to take a year to complete. The Cliffs managers said the venue would remain open throughout the refurbishments. However, by February 2024, it was announced that there would be a delay to the start of the refurbishment works as the price had risen above the original cost.<ref name=BBC15723/><ref name=echo26224/> It was announced in August 2024 that work was due to start later that month, with Auburn Group awarded the contract after a recommissioning of the tender process. Work officially started on the 22 August.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2nnnyp1v0o|title=Multi-million theatre revamp due to begin|website=BBC|date=5 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/24537568.cliffs-pavilion-works-begin-upgrades-renovation/|title=Cliffs Pavilion works begin for upgrades and renovation|newspaper=Evening Echo|date=26 August 2024}}</ref>