What On Earth Has The College Done To The Winter Gardens?!
When Weston College bought the Winter Gardens for £1 in 2015, nobody could have guessed they'd do this to it...
We didn't turn the pond into a carpark
We cleaned out the pond on day one, and while the fish were on holiday we repaired the lining and installed new fountains and colour changing lights. We released the fish back in September 2017 and plan to plant the area up in 2018.
We didn't turn the ballroom into a lecture theatre
The ballroom has been refurbished, the floor fixed, and repairs have been carried out to the dome. New technology has been installed to bring the building into the 21st century while retaining its 1920s character. The ballroom is available for public booking, and we are already putting on a range of events for the public.
No more Prince Consort Hall
We have transformed the little-used Prince Consort Hall into a series of classrooms and independent study spaces.
There's a new entrance (but it isn't four stories tall...)
To keep the education and public side separate, we moved the public entrance back to the front of the building and turned an ugly 1980s concrete block into the new entrance to the education section of the building.
We've restored the iconic seafront facade
We've completely removed some of the 1980s additions to the facade of the building as well as intrusive signage that spoiled the building's aesthetics. We've installed more-subtle outdoor lighting and replaced all of the windows to make sure they match.
The cafe's more cosy
Leather sofas, booths, quality tables and chairs... The Florentine bistro (opened in October 2017) serves a selection of cakes, hot meals, sandwiches and baguettes.
The decor has had a much-needed update
It's more than just a lick of paint too - new lights, a new colour scheme, and new fixtures and fittings were all part of our plan to restore the iconic ballroom.
The restaurant's been moved
Located in the former Tourist Information Centre, Lasseter's Restaurant and Bar interprets the Winter Gardens' 1920s character with a modern twist. Serving a selection of locally-sourced dishes created by Head Chef Dave Newman, Lasseter's at the Winter Gardens brings together top-quality food and service in Weston-super-Mare's most iconic building.
It's got a new identity
On top of all of the upgrades, enhancements and refurbishment, we've updated the Winter Gardens' logo, designed by a former Weston College and University Centre Weston graphic design student.
