Refurbishment of Rothesay Pavilion

The effects of its exposed seafront location meant that the Pavilion suffered significant wear and tear over the years. A renovation of this nature and complexity requires the full range of Robertson's skill and experience to preserve and protect the character and fabric of this important national asset and secure its future as a modern, fully accessible facility fit for the 21st century.

Argyll and Bute Council has ambitious plans for their area, with Rothesay Pavilion at the heart of their regeneration efforts that will boost the island’s appeal as a must-see national visitor destination.

Rothesay Pavilion will become a new cultural beacon with its rich heritage, and programme of modern family entertainment. Its mix of facilities will act as a creative industries powerhouse, stimulating next-generation careers in the area.

The facilities over three floors will comprise:

• 1,000 capacity auditorium with original sprung dance floor, state-of-the-art sound system, stage and bar;
• cafe and retail area, where visitors will enjoy spectacular views across the Clyde coast, a 'taste of Bute's kitchen', and purchase the work of local, national and international artists and makers;
• self-contained studio / performance space with separate entrance and bar;
• gallery/exhibition space;
• office and co-working space for business start-ups; and
• multi-media facilities and support for careers in tourism, creative industries and heritage.

The Covid-19 pandemic threw the entire refurbishment into doubt. However, beyond the challenges brought about by the previous contractor's departure and Covid-19, another significant element is the island location. Unpredictable weather conditions and potential transport issues in accessing the mainland add complexibity to the operation, affecting our supply chain, materials choice, and project timescales.

In partnership with Argyll and Bute Council, we have drawn on an extensive and committed network of supplers partners to devise a flexible staged plan and timetable to overcome these potential issues and budget constraints.

Alongside the location, another challenge is working on the structure itself. The Pavilion occupies an exposed position on the seafront. Therefore our team has constructed a bespoke scaffolding system and over roof around the building to allow all-year-round access, ensuring the safety of our team and the ability to continue working in all types of weather.

This tailored approach to client partnership and attention to detail is what sets Robertson apart – it's the Robertson Way.

With its unique history, heritage and design, Rothesay Pavilion can make an impression on the world stage. It offers a catalyst to improve the fortunes of Bute's communities, especially young people and families of every generation. So much so, it is supported by a significant range of national investors namely, The Scottish Government, National Heritage Lottery Foundation, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Robertson Trust, Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston and the Wolfson Foundation.

On completion, the building will be managed by the Rothesay Pavilion Charity, a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) set up in 2014 to run the operation for the benefit the community, with the same creative enterprise and imagination that first engineered it.

Phase 2 of the comprehensive refurbishment includes:

• full strip-out and replacement of all internal systems (excluding main plant room), 
• new internal partitions and toilet facilities, 
• repair of failed concrete slabs and masonry walls,
• intumescent protection to structural steel, 
• industrial kitchen, bars, and tea preparation areas, 
• new internal doors, and wall panelling, and 
• specialist sound and lighting systems. 

Key listed heritage features, including the ticket booth, stage surround, feature column shrouds, and terrazzo flooring are being carefully restored to their original character.