Cromer Pier backstage refurbishments completed

Date published: 26th March 2025

A 10-week programme of works to refurbish backstage at Cromer Pier has completed, delivering much needed improvements to the performer areas.

The changing rooms, kitchen and bathroom facilities and theatre staff offices had not been refurbished in over twenty years and needed significant repairs and refurbishment.

The old cramped, cold and dilapidated changing rooms have been replaced with roomier facilities, which are properly heated and insulated and feature acoustic bi-fold doors, allowing the three rooms to open up into one or two larger rooms, or partially opened to maintain privacy and still allow performers to communicate with one another.



Each room backstage has been synchronized with the stage through screens and speakers, allowing performers to see, or hear what’s going on onstage, so that they can change or ready themselves between curtain call and hit their cues.




Essentially for the Pavilion Theatre, the introduction of a wheel-chair accessible lift to the stage has meant that it can attract and accommodate performers with limited mobility. An accessible changing room and shower room has been fitted immediately next to the stage-lift entrance to save time during performances.



Cllr. Tim Adams, Leader of the Council said:

"The transformational work backstage to Cromer Pier has really opened up so much opportunity for it as a venue, and has helped futureproof it as an asset for years to come. Features such as the accessible lift and changing rooms are a real unique selling point for the venue and should help attract more entertainment options for years to come.

The Council is committed to continuing investment in this Pier, having refurbished the Pavilion Bar, and we'll look for funding opportunities to transform the stage and auditorium in the future too."

Sean Garrett, General Manager at Cromer Pier said:

"The backstage refurbishment has brought an incredible transformation over the past few weeks, making it almost unrecognisable. Working in an office where you no longer see the sea through the floor is a huge improvement! The addition of an accessible stage lift and dressing room is something most theatres will look on with envy.

We have NNDC to thank for these fantastic upgrades, which will be greatly appreciated by performers who will be blown away by the exceptional new facilities."

The Council has committed capital funding in recent years to rejuvenate much of Cromer Pier, having also completed refurbishments to the Pavilion Bar in 2023, and it is hoped that grant funding can be sought to refurbish the Pavilion Theatre’s auditorium and stage area.



See what’s on at Cromer Pier

The works were delivered by local contractors and businesses - Malcolm Abbs Ltd., Bruce Towers & Sons Ltd., Kings & Barnhams and Cromer Carpets.