WORK is set to start on a multi-million pound revamp of the Cliffs Pavilion in a bid to cement its future as the go-to theatre for big acts in the South East.

Rochford-based Auburn Group Limited, who have been awarded the £5.8million contract to refurbish the Westcliff theatre, are set to move on to the site on August 12.

The refurbishment will see a two-storey extension with a feature canopy to the east side of the building to form a new main entrance.

A modern, brighter, more welcoming entrance and lobby are also planned, in addition to improvement work to the bar, toilets, and lifts.

The external area to the east of the building will be re-landscaped to form a public plaza including new paving, planting, lighting and art.

Matt Dent, councillor responsible for culture, tourism and business, said: “The Cliffs is a fantastic venue and these improvements are only going to make it better. I think it’s going to be fantastic for the city to have an updated and top-of-the-line theatre venue at the heart of Southend. It can only be good for everyone.

“I’m hoping we can attract all sorts of acts. I’d like to see us building on our recent successes bringing acts straight from the West End to Southend.

“ I think it’s fair to say we’re the envy of a lot of other cities outside of London in the sort of performances we’ve managed to bring to Southend.”

The ambitious plans to rejuvenate the Cliffs Pavilion were due to begin in January after Willmott Dixon was handed a £5.8m contract last year.

However, in February, Southend Council revealed it was searching for a “suitably-qualified contractor” after it emerged the project could have gone over budget.

Now the delays have been overcome, Daniel Cowan, Labour leader of the council, is confident the work will set the Cliffs Pavilion’s future in stone.

Mr Cowan added: “I think it will be absolutely fantastic for Southend to have these renovations. We already know the Cliffs is regionally the best theatre, and this will make it even better.”