'We opened, warts and all, and there's no going back'

The icon on the seafront is a 70-year-old who has been well and truly made over; there's been a nip and tuck with plenty of botox to keep the years away; and while she looks mighty fine, there is more surgery to come.

Work on the extension is yet to be re-started, there is still scaffolding on the roof, and local residents can be forgiven for asking why the delay?

The 8 million re-launch of the DLWP last October proved an unsatisfactory experience - the building was not ready, and paint was drying as invited guests made their way through the foyer.

Throughout the year the Bexhill Observer has received comment and strong criticism from those who say the exhibitions are too modern and remote, the restaurant too stark, the coffee too expensive, local needs not catered for, and where did all that money go?

The DLWP was first opened in 1935 and has been the subject of controversy ever since, so at least one tradition is firmly in place. Love it or loathe it, it seems everyone has an opinion, and that's not about to change.

On Saturday there were first birthday celebrations with the launch of the DLWP's striking new chair and a party atmosphere pervaded the entire building. Later in the week director Alan Hayden looked back over the year and re-visited some of the highs and lows.

"You can't please everybody all the time," he said.

"But I think the first highlight was that we opened, warts and all, with a wish not to disappoint the waiting public, and ourselves.

"We wanted to get open and we wanted to get cracking. We accepted the fact there was still things to do - and I don't say that was a highlight."

The opening weekend drew 10,000 curious visitors, and since then, said Alan, the DLWP has continued to attract "thousands and thousands of people who vote with their feet, express their interest and support by coming here time after time.

"That has been a tremendous buzz for a start, in terms of having people here, but it is an endorsement of what we all feel about this building and its future."

He is proud that half a million people have visited so far.

"Compared to other institutes like this around the country, that is a phenomenal number. It is over ten times the population of Bexhill.

"And out of that half million people, 25 percent are from Bexhill which means an awful lot of people in Bexhill return time after time. And 65 percent are from the Rother district, which is important - these are the people who pay their rates. Then, 75 per cent of visitors coming in to Bexhill are coming to see us. These are very important figures for us and I think of vital importance to the town as a whole.

"Eight per cent of our visitors are from London - that's 40-50,000 travelling to Bexhill to visit us. So the impact on the town's economy is substantial, with regeneration importance and such like."

His view is that the DLWP has received much media coverage nationally which has been good for the town; as a result Bexhill was featured in Channel 4's A Place In The Sun, and the Times, as a desirable new hot spot to buy property.

"And I think the exhibitions have been fantastic. They have attracted a world class repertoire of artists. And they bring in 72 percent of our visitors.

"In short we know we are doing the right thing."

"We are on the right track. We are not going back to the old days, but looking to the future."

Finance of the DLWP has been a source of interest and concern within the town, if not within the building itself.

The Observer carried a front page lead story in which builders on the site claimed they had not been paid for work carried out. The Trust said there had been unexepccted extra costs and more funding had to be secured. The extension project has since been on hold.

"We have the money in place to do it," said Alan.

"Understanding that the building industry is a very complex one, something we have learned over the last three years, we want to make sure that every detail is covered, and every i is dotted, and every t is crossed before we bring the contractor back on site. These discussions are complex, and we are trying to get our contractors back on site as soon as possible."

The work will be done by "whoever has the best price.

"The original contractors are part of the discussion. We want to be sure we are getting everything we want for the price we are paying."

"I am frustrated that we haven't got further quicker, but believe you me it is not for want of us trying. It is not for reasons of us not having funds in place, merely the complexities of the industry that requires us to take a careful and measure approach to this final phase."

The DLWP receives its funding via Rother District Council and the Arts Council, as well as grants from trusts and foundations for arts programmes and education work, and generates some income of its own.

"The long-term plan is that the Pavilion will, and should continue to, rely on the support of local government and national agencies such as the Arts Council, for providing a cultural programme and service to the community, and maintaining this important building for the benefit of its visitors."

Free events and involvement with all local schools were highlights of the year, while director of communications Sally Ann Lycett has a number of top memories - the visit by the Duchess of Cornwall, the sell-out gigs by comedian Eddie Izzard, the stunning performance of Dame Kiri te Kanawa.

Sally Ann said: "That first weekend was frightening - but exciting. It was just an immense experience. We have had some great days in the building since then, such as the Carnival Saturday when the Trinidadian band from south London played on our bandstand, the Bexhill Bow Wow was a great day, then there was the Fairy Band from Chester, the May Ball. But every time we open an exhibition we have a great day...take last Saturday, the place was buzzing with all sorts of people. Last year's Big Draw was phenomenal, and this year it is on Sunday when we might have three or four hundred people visiting."