Our goal is for every Pavilion visit to create value for Gorleston: by supporting its people and culture, caring for heritage, reducing resource use and making space for nature.
Last reviewed: 19 July 2026
1. Our approach to regenerative tourism
The Pavilion has welcomed people to Gorleston seafront since 1901. We believe a visit should contribute to the place that made it possible: supporting local culture and livelihoods, caring for our historic theatre, reducing pressure on natural resources and helping nature thrive.
Regenerative tourism goes beyond reducing harm. It asks how our choices can leave the theatre, seafront and community stronger. These principles guide our building, operations, productions, purchasing, visitor experience and partnerships.
2. Caring for our building while using less energy
An Edwardian theatre has particular environmental challenges. We are reducing energy demand while making changes that respect the fabric, character and long-term future of the building.
Our work includes:
- reviewing how energy is used across performances, rehearsals, offices, front of house and building services;
- improving controls, maintenance and operating practices so that lighting, heating and equipment run only when needed;
- considering energy and whole-life efficiency when equipment or supplier contracts are renewed;
- using the Theatre Green Book framework for our in-house productions, bringing sustainability into decisions about design, materials, technical systems, transport and production planning; and
- helping visitors plan lower-impact journeys through our travel information, including public transport and walking routes.
We do not claim that our historic building is already Net Zero. Our direction is clear: establish reliable baselines, reduce avoidable demand first and use evidence to prioritise the improvements with the greatest lasting benefit.
3. Using resources responsibly
We are moving away from a take–make–dispose model. We aim to prevent waste before it is created, choose reusable or lower-impact products, and keep equipment and production materials in use for longer.
Actions underway include:
- eliminating avoidable single-use plastics from our operations and replacing them with reusable or more sustainable alternatives where safe and practical;
- using paperless tickets as standard while retaining an accessible printed option for people who need one;
- reducing, separating and recycling operational and audience waste;
- prioritising repair, reuse, sharing, responsible storage and repurposing for sets, props, costumes and equipment;
- applying Theatre Green Book principles to material choices and the onward life of production resources; and
- reviewing supplier contracts and purchasing arrangements for resource efficiency, unnecessary packaging, delivery impacts, durability and value over the full life of a product or service.
We expect this supplier review to be collaborative. We will share our direction early, ask proportionate sustainability questions and favour practical improvement over unsupported environmental claims.
4. Taking a responsible approach to nature
Our coastal setting makes the relationship between the built and natural environment impossible to ignore. We consider waste, water, pollution and possible effects on wildlife when maintaining our site and planning activity.
Nature projects must be suitable for the location and capable of being cared for properly over time. We will work with appropriate expertise, learn from experience and favour well-supported local partnerships over short-lived environmental gestures.
For three years we hosted beehives on the Pavilion roof. The bees did not thrive in that exposed setting, so the hives have now been removed. That experience reinforced the importance of choosing the right site, seeking specialist advice and planning for long-term care. We will use what we learned when considering future nature projects.
5. Strengthening the place we call home
The Pavilion is not a visitor attraction placed in Gorleston; it is part of Gorleston. Our purpose is tied to the Edwardian theatre, seafront, Bandstand and the people who have sustained them across generations.
Our place-based approach includes:
- preserving and keeping our heritage building in active public use;
- creating year-round cultural reasons to visit, supporting the wider local visitor economy beyond a single peak season;
- offering free activity, including live music at the Gorleston Bandstand;
- working with local organisations, artists, volunteers, schools, community groups and businesses;
- widening participation through stage-school, performance, volunteering and accessible visiting; and
- encouraging visitors to discover local heritage, independent businesses and the wider seafront responsibly.
We seek activity that complements local life, treats residents and public spaces with respect, and keeps more of the social and economic value of a visit within the area.
7. Accountability and next steps
Regeneration is a continuing practice, not a badge awarded once. We will review this policy annually and develop our evidence base so that decisions and future claims can be supported by meaningful data.
Our next-stage priorities are to:
- strengthen baselines for energy, waste, water and procurement;
- identify measurable priorities using the Theatre Green Book across productions, operations and our building;
- include relevant environmental questions and expectations in supplier reviews and new contracts;
- record learning from in-house productions and share practical ideas with visiting companies, staff and volunteers; and
- publish progress, including challenges and areas where further work or investment is needed.
Suggestions and partnership enquiries are welcome at admin@pavtheatre.com.