THIS week’s nostalgia feature looks at the history of the Llandudno Pier Pavilion, which may soon finally have new life breathed into it after lying dormant for more than a quarter of a century.

Work started on the pavilion in 1881, and it was expected to be open for business in the spring of 1884, only for a severe storm that January to badly damage the roof.

The building was eventually used on June 7 for a programme to raise funds for the Llandudno Sanatorium and Cottage Hospital, a public relations exercise, and in August 1884, it hosted comic actor J. L. Toole.

For the first 40 years, orchestra recitals and concerts were its main shows, though in 1936, the pavilion would feature the main variety shows and musicals.

Pavlion headliners from the ‘variety years’ included Anna Pavlova, Vera Lynn, Tommy Trinder, and The Spinners.

Various changes in ownership and ventures did not succeed, audiences were falling and the building had become run down by the time it closed in 1984.

In 1993, though, plans were drawn up to restore the building as a development including an element of theatre along with shops, restaurants and exhibition and conference space.

But the Grade II Listed building was the victim of an arson attack in February 1994, destroying it.

After more than 25 years of disuse, though, the site was bought in late 2021 by the Tir Prince Leisure Group, which called it “the jewel in the crown of North Wales tourism” and announced plans to develop it.