Council

Work restarts on Porthcawl’s Grand Pavilion

By Philip Irwin, Senior Reporter

A CONTRACTOR has been appointed to work on the “main construction works” at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

Caption (left to right): Jamie Costain (Andrew Scott Ltd); Cllr John Spanswick (BCBC leader); Richard Hughes (Awen); Cllr Neelo Farr and Sam Bain (Andrew Scott Ltd).
| Pictures left to right: Jamie Costain (Andrew Scott Ltd); Cllr John Spanswick (BCBC leader); Richard Hughes (Awen); Cllr Neelo Farr and Sam Bain (Andrew Scott Ltd).

It was in October 2023 that the Conservative UK Government gave an £18 million grant under the ‘Levelling Up Fund’. When Labour came to power in July 2024, work on the project paused while levelling up grants were put on review. There were rumours that the £18 million would not be enough, with suggestions that the construction work was going to be more complicated.

In March 2025, Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) announced that the project had the go ahead to restart, with funds also coming from the Welsh Government and BCBC itself.

Now, BCBC and its partners at Awen Cultural Trust have appointed Andrew Scott Ltd as the official contractor for the Grade II listed building’s restoration work.

Prichard’s Demolition were initially tasked with enabling works, including stripping out interior elements to take the building back to its original concrete shell, while Severn Insulation Ltd undertook the careful removal of some external asbestos on the 92-year-old building.

| The final proposals for the Grand Pavilion were unveiled in 2023.
| How Porthcawl’s Grand Pavilion looks.

Now, Andrew Scott Ltd are on site to start the main construction works, which aim to enhance the Grade II listed building to provide improved arts, culture, and heritage services for the county borough. The works will be underway from this summer until 2027.

Cllr Neelo Farr. Photo: BCBC.
Cllr Neelo Farr.
Photo: BCBC.

Cllr Neelo Farr, BCBC cabinet member for Regeneration, Economic Development, and Housing, said: “This is really an exciting step forward for this project and we’re delighted to appoint local business, Andrew Scott Ltd, as the main contractor for the restoration works. Their extensive expertise within the built environment and commitment to historical redevelopment projects will play a crucial role in our vision to bring this much-loved building back into use with enhanced features for our communities to enjoy once again.”

The company has worked on the Grade I listed visitor centre at Tintern Abbey and also Insole Court in Cardiff.

Richard Hughes, chief executive at Awen Cultural Trust, added: “The appointment of Andrew Scott marks a key milestone in the Grand Pavilion redevelopment project as the Porthcawl community will begin to see the venue restored and brought back to life for many more generations.”

The project is funded by the UK Government, Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), BCBC and the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Wales funding.

By Philip Irwin – Senior Reporter

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Philip Irwin

Philip has been senior reporter with the Glamorgan Star since first established in 2020. Previously with the Glamorgan GEM for 19 years, he believes strongly in the contribution that a good local newspaper can make to society.

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