FAQs
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When will the project be finished?
The project is phased over five years. First to be completed were renovations to Devonshire Park Theatre (link to page above) at the end of 2016.
The entire development will be ready and open to visitors in 2020.
Where is the money coming from?
Eastbourne Borough Council and the Lawn Tennis Association are jointly funding the major improvements to the international tennis centre.
Funding streams for Devonshire Quarter include £5.6 million from the government’s Local Growth Fund through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership as well as cash reserves. Independent business experts have projected increased income from events and conferences being held in the new Welcome Building.
Will there be any disruption to the annual International Eastbourne tennis tournament?
No. The project is being delivered in stages, ensuring this major event on the tennis calendar continues unaffected.
Who are the contractors involved?
With such a large scale development, many contractors are at work simultaneously on the elements of the overall project. They are:
- Levitt Bernstein – architects.
- Focus – project manager/contract administrators.
- Huntley Cartwright – quantity surveyors.
- Max Fordham – mechanical and electrical consultants.
- Edge Structures – structural engineers.
- David Clark Associates – business/catering/conference/retail advisors.
- Neill Woodger – acoustics and theatre design.
- Parker Dann – planning consultants.
- Vinci Construction – preferred contractor for Congress Theatre/Winter Garden refurb and upgrade, Welcome Building and public realm.
- Kier – construction of new players’ village.
- Fineturf – construction of new show court and irrigation system.
- Triton Building Restoration – construction of Congress Theatre façade, Devonshire Park Theatre restoration/conservation works.
- TSS Facilities – Devonshire Park Theatre boiler installation.
- Faithful and Gould – project management, quantity surveyors, heritage surveyors and principle designers for Congress Theatre façade, Devonshire Park Theatre restoration works.
- 1st Horizon – measured surveys.
How much will the Devonshire Quarter transformation cost?
The entire scheme costs £54 million. Eastbourne Borough Council and the Lawn Tennis Association are jointly funding the major improvements to the International Tennis Centre. Funding streams from the council include borrowings and cash reserves.
Why are we undertaking the project?
Devonshire Quarter will build on Eastbourne’s reputation as a venue with first-rate international sporting, cultural and conference facilities. This will also mean even better facilities for residents as well as supporting the sustainability of the park for future generations.
Will there be any disruption to the theatres programme?
In order for the works to take place, the Congress Theatre is closed for approximately 18 months from January 2017, followed by the Winter Garden for a similar period from November 2017. During this time, audiences can continue to enjoy an exciting entertainment programme as many of the popular shows are moved to other local venues and performance spaces.
The ever popular Devonshire Park Theatre will remain open throughout, as will The Hippodrome.