Pavilion's £6m return to glory days

An award of 4.1m from the Arts Lottery Board will enable the pavilion to fulfil its potential as the major centre for contemporary art, architecture and live performance in the area.

Together with 1.9m earmarked by the Heritage Lottery Board the awards put the pavilion at the heart of the arts scene and of regeneration in Bexhill.

Monday's announcement that the bid had finally been successful was the result of almost a decade of groundwork.

Renovation of the world-renowned building, due to begin early 2003, includes an all-new community wing, east wing gallery and east wing sun-parlour and restaurant.

The entire restoration and refurbishment is budgeted at 7m.

The shortfall will be met by public funding bodies, trusts and donations.

Architects John McAslan and Partners will evolve the style set by Mendelsohn and Chermayeff in 1935.

Announcing the success at Monday's press conference, Rother leader Cllr Graham Gubby said: "The De La Warr Pavilion was built as a statement of its time and was built deliberately to improve economic growth and the social and cultural prosperity of Bexhill and beyond.

"Lets put it in the context of Bexhill in the 21st century. Bexhill is moving forward; Bexhill is changing; Bexhill is making new developments.

"The De La Warr Pavilion will enhance the quality of all our lives. The De La Warr Pavilion will bring in new investment."

Project manager Alan Haydon said: "The De La Warr Pavilion will be a centre for local, regional and international significance for contemporary art, architecture and live performance.

"Its programme is going to be courageous in seeking to build bridges between the different artforms, different traditions and the testing of new ideas, between art and architecture, and importantly, meeting the challenge of new technology."

The community wing would be fundamental in bringing art, in all its disciplines, within the grasp of the residents and visitors of Bexhill.

"Our interests are not going to focus on the needs of artists but the aspirations of the community to engage with and participate in the creative process. Education is one of our core beliefs and to this end considerable investment will be put into providing quality facilities and expertise."

Pavilion press officer Sally Ann Lycett said: "As somebody who moved away from Bexhill for 15 years and came back I am thrilled to see what is planned for the De La Warr. I feel now I live in a place people are going to hear about very soon."

*A temporary exhibition Building For The Future containing sketches, plans and projectins will be on display at the De La Warr from the end of April.