Western-super Mare's Tropicana building looks set to be demolished

Despite the best efforts to secure the rights to redevelop it, the Tropicana building in Western-super Mare now looks set to get the go ahead for demolition.

Originally built in 1937, the Tropicana contained the largest outdoor swimming pool in Europe, and the highest (art deco) concrete diving board of the time. Depending on your age, you may know the building better as "The Pool" as it was only renamed the Tropicana in 1983.

The site has been closed since 2000, but several attempts to redevelop it have been unsuccessful. The latest from Trop Ltd. wanted to retain the look of the building, but add shops, restaurants, a gym, thermal bath, and a sauna, alongside an indoor pool. However, the North Somerset Council employed DTZ as independent property consultants and they have pointed out the plans drastically underestimate costs, and rely too much on grants.

It now seems inevitable that the Tropicana will be demolished as Councillor Tony Lake has said:

"It’s important that the proposals submitted by Trop (WSM) Ltd have been assessed by property experts...While I can’t go into detail about the report’s contents...I can say its conclusion lists a number of concerns, limitations, risks and inconsistencies with the proposals we have been given. (It is) the conclusion of previous prospective developers and the council that the current structure is not viable for redevelopment."

Source: This is Somerset