Visitors will be left feeling like they are “walking on water” as an iconic seafront attraction opens its doors again following a £350,000 transformation.

The Southern Pavilion on Worthing Pier will reopen to the public tomorrow after a whirlwind transformation that has returned the building to its 1930s Art Deco glory.

The Grade II listed building was opened by Worthing mayor Bob Smytherman last night and its 400-cover cafe will be open between 9am and 8pm to the public from tomorrow and throughout the Easter weekend.


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The venue will also be available to hire for a range of events including conferences, themed nights, charity events and community projects with ten weddings already booked in for this year with 15 in 2015 as well as a host of bookings for birthday parties ranging from 30th to 70th throughout the year.

The amazing transformation from a former nightclub has been led by businessman Philip Duckett and has taken place in little over three months.

Twenty different local trade companies have been involved in the overhaul.

Mr Duckett said: “Over the past three months everyone has been on the edge and driving it forward knowing that we wanted to be open for Easter, everyone had the same focus and wanted to make this a reality.

“It has been put together with a lot of late nights and a lot of tears.

“Everyone is really excited about it and looking forward to Good Friday and our opening up to the public.

“It would be a nice experience if we were rushed off our feet over the weekend but it is very difficult to predict as we are not selling tickets.

“I think people just want it to be open again after three years of it being closed, people just want to use this iconic building again.”

The transformation of the building has included the replacement of 200 window panels, the removal of a central wall, oak floor from Pulborough- based Northwood Forestry, specially-made balustrades and Art Deco chandeliers.

Mr Duckett said: “Frommy own point of view, I never had any doubts about the project, we knew what we were going to do.

“We wanted to put smiles on people’s faces and give people that wow factor when they come through the doors.

“We have lifted the artist drawings off the page and put them into reality.”

For more information visit Worthing Pier’s Southern Pavilion Facebook page.