Eastbourne Borough Council has entered a partnership with Trafalgar to run the Congress Theatre (1,689 seats), Devonshire Park Theatre (873 seats), Winter Garden (1000+ Seats) and conferencing and exhibition facilities, collectively known as the award-winning Devonshire Quarter complex.

Widely regarded as ‘jewels in the crown of south-east entertainment’, the Congress Theatre and Devonshire Park Theatre join a prestigious portfolio of other Trafalgar UK and international venues including Trafalgar Theatre in the West End and Olympia Theatre in London, the Theatre Royal Sydney in Australia, The Chiswick Cinema, and many UK regional theatres in its portfolio including Southend Cliffs Pavilion, New Theatre Cardiff, Fareham Live, G Live Guildford, Wycombe Swan, and the Pavilion Theatre Glasgow.

Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said: “Trafalgar Entertainment boasts a superb track record and to have Sir Howard and Dame Rosemary, both highly respected leaders in the industry, overseeing the future of the Congress Theatre, Devonshire Park Theatre and Winter Garden is hugely exciting.

“The deal also achieves the key operational and financial objectives that we agreed earlier this year and ensures these jewels in the crown of south-east entertainment will continue to delight audiences for many years to come.”                                                                     

Sir Howard Panter, Joint CEO and Creative Director at Trafalgar Entertainment, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Eastbourne Borough Council.

“Together, the Devonshire Quarter Venues form an entertainment epicentre on the East Sussex coast. We are immensely proud of our work in regional venues, including recently bringing our world-class productions of The King and I and The Rocky Horror Show to Eastbourne, and passionately believe that local audiences outside London deserve the very best.  Through Trafalgar’s unique model Eastbourne audiences are assured that the best shows and events will be brought to Eastbourne alongside major new productions premiering here. Under our operation, local businesses across the wider area will continue to reap the economic benefits that a thriving theatre complex brings.

“Our team is looking forward to working with new colleagues in Eastbourne to develop and enhance the operation.  During challenging financial times for councils up and down the country – we congratulate Eastbourne Borough Council for their foresight in selecting Trafalgar as its partner to protect these wonderful venues for the future.”