New De La Warr Pavilion shock

The initial plan to stay open throughout the estimated 6.121million refurbishment has been scrapped amid uncertainty over building contracts.

It is understood contracts have not been agreed for the Arts Council England and Heritage Lottery funded revamp to transform the Pavilion into an arts centre for the south, as tenders came in well over budget in July and potential contractors showed reluctance at working with the building open to the public.

Rother District Council, which is handling the refurbishment before handing over the Pavilion fully to the De La Warr Trust, hopes to agree contracts and start major work early next year.

Alan Haydon, director of the De La Warr Pavilion, said: "We can announce that the De La Warr Pavilion will be closing to the public on 14th December for Christmas, in anticipation of building work starting in early 2004.

"The Trust will take advice from the contractors as to when the building, or parts of the building will re-open."

But if the contractors chosen by Rother state no public access is possible De La Warr management have said they will take this advice in the interest of public safety, meaning the Pavilion could potentially stay closed until work is complete.

With no performances planned for the Christmas period, as it was hoped major construction work would have started, the De La Warr Trust took the decision to close in mid-December but look to re-open when building work is hoped to start early next year.

Marketing manager Sally Lycett said: "If the work had started earlier we might have remained open.

"The De La Warr Trust had hoped that work would start earlier.

"We are going through the due process of hiring a major contractor for a major building contract and all that entails."

Rother Leader Graham Gubby said: "Obviously I am as disappointed as anyone would be that we are not able to proceed at this moment in time."