Observer readers tell Rother what they think of Pavilion

Seventy per cent of readers responding to the Rother satisfaction survey published in the Observer at the request of working party chairman Cllr Michael Ensor said they were dissatisfied with the De La Warr Pavilion atmosphere.

Seventy per cent also said they were dissatisfied with the range of food and drink available.

Eighty two per cent said they wanted more plays in the theatre and 62% said they wanted cafe/restaurant opening hours increased.

However, of 179 people who responded, 150 said they found it easy to get to the pavilion and more than 140 said it was easy to get around the building.

Rother appointed the working group to review the future level of funding for the De La Warr Pavilion. The current five-year 500,000-a-year support ends on March 31.

As part of the working party's study it is undertaking a satisfaction survey with a cross-section of the community.

At the request of the working party chairman, the questionnaire was also provided to the Observer and published on September 28.

Readers were invited to send their response to Cllr Ensor at the Town Hall.

Cllr Ensor's analysis of the questionnaires was discussed by the working group on Monday. The group agreed that the results should be made publicly available ahead of the final deliberations of the working group.

Councillor Ensor said: " I feel sure that those that took the time and trouble to complete the questionnaire would like to know the results from the survey as soon as possible. "I am personally very grateful for the feedback that this questionnaire has provided which will be most valuable in our discussions with the Pavilion.

"I would however add a note of caution with regard to this analysis, which is that it only represents those who have a particularly strong view, whether in favour or in criticism, that caused them to complete the survey.

"It does not therefore fully represent the views of a cross section of residents in Bexhill or in Rother and the working group will have due regard to this in their deliberations. "

The working group is also receiving evidence from a number of other sources, which will inform the group's discussions.

Cllr Ensor says the group has received a "statistically robust" survey from an independent market intelligence agency from residents across all of Rother together with written statements from a number of interested parties and parish/town councils, and interviews have also been held with a number of key stakeholders.

He says all of this information will assist the working group in developing a recommendation that to be presented to the council's overview and scrutiny committee at the Town Hall on Monday, November 26, at 6.30 pm.Members of the public will be able to attend the meeting to hear the outcome of the extensive consultation exercise and the recommendations of the working group on the future level of funding for the De La Warr Pavilion.

Cllr Ensor says: "Although the public survey from the newspaper has been conducted separately from the structured market research conducted by FACTS International Ltd, and the profile of the respondents is different, nevertheless the results are very similar.

"It is clear that there is a high regard for the pavilion, and what it stands for, but there is considerable dissatisfaction with the content of the programme and the services provided.

"Although the DLWP charitable trust has been established to engage with the residents of Rother, and is required by the Arts Council to promote arts and culture by working with the local population, it would appear from the results of the public survey that the DLWP CT has not succeeded in this objective for the past two years since reopening, following the extensive refurbishment of this unique iconic building.

"The new funding agreement between RDC and the DLWP CT will need to address this apparent disconnect between the DLWP and the residents of Rother."

Of the Observer readers who responded, 65% were female. Some 68% were aged over 60 and 36% were over 70. Less than 3% were under 40.

Asked the main reasons why they went to the pavilion, 95 said for the cafe/restaurant, just over 90 terrace/general visit, just under 80 plays/theatre, and 70 art exhibitions.

Some 93% of all respondents expected the pavilion to support local community events as a priority. Supporting tourism in Rother came a close second with support for recreation and tourism a close third, followed by support for local heritage, children/youth activities, and economic development.

Fewer than 40 of the respondents were satisfied with the range of food and drink. Just over 40 were satisfied with the atmosphere.

Cllr Ensor says a "staggering" 82% of respondents says they wanted more plays in the theatre and 62% wants cafe/restaurant opening times increased.

"In general, there was a high requirement for music and shows of all variety to be increased.

"However, only 22% indicated that they wanted more art exhibitions."