Satisfaction high, but not enough for cash boost

As part of Rother District Council's (RDC) involvement in the Pavilion, an annual survey checks satisfaction levels across a range of areas.

This year 3,000 Rother households were sent questionnaires, of which 742 responded.

Results found that 72 per cent of Bexhill residents visited the Pavilion in the last year, and that 69 per cent of these enjoyed their visit.

68 per cent said it was "a valulable part of cultural life in the area."

Satisfaction was highest in relation to access - how easy it is to get around the building (87 per cent) and how easy it is to reach the building (82 per cent).

Dissatisfaction was highest over opening times (29 per cent of Bexhillians say they are not happy) and the range of food and drink available (25 per cent unhappy).

And the recession could be making us more careful. Each visitor spent on average 6.82 - a steady drop from 2007 (8.65) and 2008 (7.48).

But over half (59 per cent) of respondents said the Pavilion's events were not interesting to them.

And the Pavilion missed out on their 20,000 cash boost, payable as an incentive grant from RDC if they meet their local satisfaction targets.

Anthony Leonard, RDC director of services, said: "Overall satisfaction was high, but there are certain aspects of the Pavilion that have levels of dissatisfaction: the range of food and drink and opening hours."

See the full survey results on the meeting agenda under Council and Democracy at www.rother.gov.uk