Frequently asked questions

The Council has been exploring ways to bring the buildings back into active use and  opportunities to fund the Pavilion’s restoration by securing a long-term occupier that will complement the wider recreational use of the Sports Ground.

The Council is working with a potential operator whose proposals align with the Council’s core objectives for the site, and who can bring private investment and safeguard the buildings’ long-term future.

We are restoring an important piece of Leyton’s heritage. Both buildings need repair and alterations to enable them to be opened to public and new operator to move in. This investment is part of our wider plans to improve Council-owned properties and bring them back into use by the local community as well as improving the carbon footprint of our buildings as part of Council’s commitment to respond to the climate emergency.

Urgent works have been completed over last couple of years, including replacement of defective cast iron guttering and measures to stop water coming into the building; repairing damaged ceilings; replacement of broken roof tiles, damaged timber boards and beams.

We’ve utilised investment from Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to install heat pumps, LED lighting, insulation and secondary glazing in The Pavilion. We’ve also carried out initial surveys to understand the condition of the building and completed an options appraisal for the Pavilion and Tin Hut to inform options for the buildings.

We have progressed a two-stage marketing process to identify a preferred operator.

We do not anticipate at this stage that access to any of the other buildings on Leyton Sports Ground (apart from the Tin Hut and Pavilion) will be affected by the refurbishment project.

The contractor will consider people who use the site when establishing their construction management plan. This will also be reviewed through the planning application process.

The extent of the improvement works is still to be confirmed and subject to planning and listed building consent. We anticipate the works will consist of:

• General repairs to the building
• Making the building more accessible
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Mix of internal layout changes and small extensions to both buildings to accommodate a new use
• Landscaping improvements to the space surrounding the buildings to increase biodiversity and improve resilience to climate change
• Measures to improve signage, access, and active travel to the site
• Measures to improve the heritage value of the buildings, by restoring the original elements and removing later additions to the Pavilion

Following a two-stage marketing process the Council are in ongoing negotiations with a preferred operator - a creative management, production and technology company focused on youth and family audiences. The preferred operator is seeking to provide a mix of uses across the two buildings which complement and do not compete with existing uses on the site. The proposals include:

• A Kids Club in the Tin Hut, providing secure outdoor play space, indoor soft and adventure play, alongside craft and other activities, available as a subscription-based service. This will be a local provider rather than a franchise facility. 
• A food and drink service, alongside independent and seasonal pop-up retailers and a youth focused offer in the Pavilion. 

Once the lease has been agreed following Council procedures, we will announce the operator.

A funding application made to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2019 to help pay for the cost of work to the Grade II Listed Building was not successful.

Previous proposals for the Real Food Hub will not happen.

The Council is now exploring opportunities to fund the Pavilion’s full restoration to its former glory and secure a long-term viable occupier to bring it back into active use, complementing the wider recreational use of the Sports Ground. 

The new provider was selected through a robust two-stage marketing process which took place in 2022 and was supported by AND London.

The opportunity was marketed on a dedicated website and hoardings. Nine organisations entered a bid for the opportunity.

The new provider selected was considered the best final offer, meeting the Council’s key objectives and did not conflict with the current uses on site or within the immediate surroundings.

No. The Council will continue to retain the freehold of the buildings and Sports Ground. The Sports Ground is held as a charitable trust and its recreational and sports use will be maintained.

The other existing uses will continue at the Sports Ground and the Council's proposed operator for the Pavilion and Tin Hut will complement existing activities and add to the site’s wider programme and offer.