Floral Pavilion Theatre

The Floral Pavilion Theatre stands on New Brighton’s seafront promenade, facing the River Mersey in the Wirral Peninsula. It began in 1913 as an open-air summer stage inside Victoria Gardens. A glass-and-iron roof was added in 1925 to keep shows running whatever the weather. By the mid-1960s the building was largely rebuilt with a metal roof. After closing in 2007 the old structure was removed to make way for a wider regeneration plan. The rebuilt theatre reopened in December 2008 with Ken Dodd taking the first bow. Dodd had first appeared there in 1940 and remained closely linked to the venue ever since. The new design enlarged the auditorium to seat more than eight hundred people. The same complex also houses conference rooms and a spacious multi-purpose lounge for gatherings. Visitors find a modern theatre offering comedy, music and children’s shows, including an annual Christmas pantomime. The promenade outside gives views across the Mersey to Liverpool’s skyline. Inside, the enlarged auditorium provides clear sightlines from every seat. The adjoining lounge serves as a welcoming foyer before performances and as a venue for daytime events.