Our vision and ambition for Rothesay Pavilion is to:
- Be a Top 10 national cultural tourist destination
- Stimulate Bute’s economic regeneration
- Provide multi-generational benefits for community health and wellbeing
- Increase access and equality of opportunity for residents
- Create next generation learning and career opportunities
- Champion the local and regional creative economy
- Become recognised as an Eco Tourism Centre of Excellence
- Deliver a prestigious business base and events venue
- Create a focal point for civic pride
- Reaffirm Bute’s place as one of the ‘Best places to live’
- Achieve economic viability and long-term sustainability
Building owners Argyll and Bute Council, and social enterprise partners Rothesay Pavilion Charity, levered substantial public sector investment from a range of national agencies and sources to restore and preserve the A-listed Pavilion for future generations.
Since the original contractor went into administration, we’ve been doing a lot of work to keep the building secure and protected from the elements, so that it remains in the best possible condition ready for regeneration work to restart. We have also entered into a Pre-Construction Service Development Agreement with Robertson Construction Central West.
Our priority now is to secure the additional £15 million funding needed to meet the unprecedented costs escalation brought about by the pandemic, and cost of living increases.
Competition for funding is tough.
We have built the case for investing in the Pavilion, highlighting how this important heritage asset could deliver success for local communities and Scotland as a whole, with a range of new funding streams and benefits being delivered through additional tourist visits, entertainment and events, and creative and digital businesses setting up on the island.
You can read more about the case for funding this special building in the ‘Case for support’ and in this report - Rothesay Pavilion update.
We are taking the case now to potential funders.
To keep up-to-date, subscribe free to Rothesay Pavilion Charity’s coming-soon monthly e-newsletter. Look out for details on its website.
Rothesay Pavilion Charity
The charity was set up to take over the active programming, management and operations of Rothesay Pavilion following its redevelopment by Argyll and Bute Council. Its main charitable objectives are to advance citizenship and community development, arts, culture and heritage and to provide recreational facilities for local citizens.
The Charity was established as a Scottish Incorporated Charitable Organisation (SCIO) in June 2014 and is registered with OSCR (SC044932)
About the Pavilion
Rothesay Pavilion is a Category A-listed building in the international Modernist style designed by the architect James Andrew Carrick of J & A Carrick of Ayr and completed in 1938. It is one of the UK’s finest examples of early 20th-century modern architecture offering attractions and entertainment designed to lift the spirit. The building was commissioned following a Scotland-wide design competition.
Our Funders
The Council has received funding from our following funding partners;
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Highlands and Islands Enterprise
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Coastal Communities Fund
- Scottish Government - European Regional Development Fund
The £1,055,602 grant from Europe will enable us to develop affordable, well-equipped, accessible work spaces in Rothesay, as currently there are few opportunities on the island for for SMEs to grow their business. This grant will provide three independent work spaces which will have access to a shared meeting room and office resources