THE Cliffs Pavilion is celebrating 60 years of welcoming world-class actors and big-name bands ahead of an £8million renovation project that will secure its future for years to come.

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the Westcliff theatre opening its doors in Station Road for the first time on July 4, 1964.

Since then, the Cliffs has hosted Paul McCartney, Oasis, Rod Stewart, Kasabian and One Direction – proving to be a key fixture of the theatre circuit in the south of England.

The theatre is set to begin an £8million renovation works later this year, which will create an expanded restaurant, new entrance, lobby and outdoor piazza.

Nick Parr, theatre director, said: “Since actor Sir Bernard Miles officially opened the Cliffs in July 1964, our beloved venue has played hosted to thousands of performances and events over its 60-year history.

“We want to thank everyone who has played a part in the Cliffs’ success as we prepare to start work on our 60th anniversary refurbishment over the coming months.”

Although it is celebrating 60 years, the story of the Cliffs actually began 110 years ago when a temporary stage was set up on the cliffs in 1914.

In recent years, the Cliffs even successfully managed to survive a 16-month closure as a result of Covid, playing host to Jimmy Carr as he filmed his Netflix stand-up special “His Dark Material.”

Labour councillor responsible for culture, Matt Dent, has called the venue an “asset to the city” and promised that the new work will help keep the venue running for “another sixty years”.

He said: “The Cliffs is such a fantastic asset for the city, you only need to look at all the performances taking place there.

“It competes with the east end of London, people come to the Cliffs from miles around and with support, we can keep it going for another 60 years.

“Last time I was there was for the Wizard of Oz, which was absolutely fantastic and fresh out of the West End.

“It’s a really comfortable venue and I don’t think there is anything else like it in south Essex.”