Big Local helped renovate the Pavilion building in Sussex Recreation Ground and bring it back into community use. It remains a valuable community space to this day
When? renovated 2014-15. In use since 2015-2025 and beyond
Partners: North East Lincolnshire Council. Originally run by the Sussex Pavilion Community Group CIO. Latterly managed by We Are Fish. VANEL. Local Ward Councillors. Many volunteers involved with the refurbishment.
The refurbishment of the Pavilion on Sussex Recreation Ground was the first major, flagship project for Big Local North Cleethorpes and a significant regeneration project in Cleethorpes.
The two-storey building on Sussex Recreation Ground was seen as an underused asset which the people of North Cleethorpes and the wider wards of Sidney Sussex and Croft Baker had a lot of affection.
One of the most often heard complaints during early public engagement exercises by Big Local was the fact that toilets on the Parks in the area were often closed.
The building itself offered the opportunity to provide a community hub which could serve North Cleethorpes residents and there was strong local support for its refurbishment and use for the benefit of residents and visitors alike. This then was the first investment in the planned upgrading of the parks and open spaces which serve the residents of North Cleethorpes.
Between 2013 and 2015, £52000 was invested by Big Local North Cleethorpes, and when added to by the investment in time by members of the local community, the result was a major, and successful, complete refurbishment of the building.
The project was completed on budget and was seen as a great success. There was feedback and evidence to show that bringing the building back into community use was widely valued and greatly appreciated. Within just three months of opening, the Pavilion had attracted sufficient external lettings to cover its basic running costs for the first year. The flexibility of the newly refurbished space means that it was available for a wide variety of activities.
The refurbished Pavilion has one of the few sprung dance floors in the area as part of its large hall.
In November 2015, the Pavilion project won the Grimsby Telegraph’s “Community Project of the Year” award.
Since 2015 the Pavilion was run independently to Big Local North Cleethorpes by a charity led by Steve Pygott and the building served the community for many years.
Sadly in 2023 Steve passed away leaving the building a little bit in limbo and the doors were forced to close. Over the space of a few months Big Local North Cleethorpes worked with local partners and the Council to support a new team taking over the Pavilion. Late in 2023 We Are Fish took over the building and it was once again open to the public and the community. It’s continued to serve as a community space for the North Cleethorpes community.
In January 2025, Big Local North Cleethorpes returned to the Pavilion for our final event as our programme came to a close. We started at the Pavilion in 2014 and finished our journey back in the same place.
A historic Pavilion
The Pavilion was built in 1934 and has been centre of the community for decades.
Refurbishment
In 2014 refurbishment work was started through funding from the newly formed Big Local North Cleethorpes and through support of local people, volunteers and other groups.
The refurbishment was massively supported by volunteer hours from members of the local community. There was also in kind private sector sponsorship for which we are grateful. Support of time and effort also came from involvement from the National Citizens Service programme as well as programmes using ex-offenders.
Particular thanks to Alan Johnson, a member of the Big Local Steering Group and Steve Pygott, Clee Lincs secretary, who were instrumental throughout in leading the restoration of the Pavilion.
Ready for use
The Pavilion reopened in 2015 ready for the community.
A community space
Steve Pygott, Manager for Sidney Sussex Pavilion after refurbishment:
We were very lucky to get a grant from Big Local, who helped us get off the ground
Lighting on the Recreation Ground
At the same time as the refurbishment project at the Pavilion, Big Local North Cleethorpes funded an additional project to upgrade the lighting around the Sussex Recreation Ground.
In the darker times of year there were a lot of dark spots so improved lighting would extend the possibility of wider public use throughout the year.
The investment of £5000 by Big Local was supported by another £15k worth of funding from North East Lincolnshire Council and other funders to complete the lighting upgrades.
2023 a new beginning
Sadly, Steve Pygott, who had led and managed the Pavilion since it reopened in 2015, passed away in 2023. After a brief period of closure, the management of the building passed to We Are Fish who agreed the lease and took over day to day running of the building from later in 2023. Once again the Pavilion continues to be of use to the community.
To make use of the Sidney Sussex Pavilion please contact We Are Fish who run the building.
In memorandum
The success of the Sidney Sussex Pavilion over many years was the result of the effort and time put in by Steve Pygott who ran the Pavilion up until 2023 when he passed away. Everyone involved with the Pavilion over the years are grateful for the work Steve put into the place for the good of the community.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We Are Fish run the Pavilion
North East Lincolnshire Council are the owners with Sussex Pavilion Community Group CIO holding the lease.
Website for the Pavilion here.