HOPS (Hailsham Old Pavilion Society)

Hailsham Old Pavilion Society (H.O.P.S.) was established in 1993 to raise funds to restore the Pavilion for the use of the local community as a cinema and live entertainment venue.

As the owners were in receivership, Wealden District Council issued a compulsory purchase order and arranged for necessary work to be carried out to make the building weatherproof. A 31 year lease was arranged to enable HOPS to bring the building back in to use.

H.O.P.S., having already raised almost £100,000 from the local community, were successful in their bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and were awarded £275,000. Local councils and other voluntary organisations gave a great deal of support.

Restoration was completed in November 1999 and the Pavilion officially re-opened in January 2000 under the management of Hailsham Pavilion Limited, also a registered charity.