Whitby Pavilion

The Whitby Pavilion stands on the East Cliff in Whitby, a North Yorkshire town known for its fishing heritage and abbey ruins. Built between 1876 and 1879 at the instigation of local figure George Elliott, it began as a theatre with a saloon and pleasure grounds. After the First World War a large Floral Hall was added for dances, though it later fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1989. The main theatre was restored and in 1990 the Northern Lights Suite opened, providing a café and spaces for exhibitions and markets. The theatre now seats 380 people and its stalls can be removed to create a dance floor. Since 2011 it has also operated as a cinema, offering film screenings alongside live performances. In 2012 Scarborough Borough Council joined with Sheffield International Venues to run the venue, but this partnership ended in 2020 when it proved unprofitable. Designed by architects Julius Mayhew and Edward Smales in the Queen Anne style, the building is described by Historic England as a plain Victorian structure with a domestic appearance. The older section features a barrel-vaulted ceiling, giving the auditorium a distinctive character. The Northern Lights Suite provides a modern space for community events, markets and refreshments.