WITHIN 45 minutes at the press of a button colourful raked seats at the new Pavilions Teignmouth can be folded away and the auditorium converted into a hall.

It is just one of the high-tech innovations at the £5 million replacement for the crumbling Carlton Theatre, which is now up and running and ready for the first customers.

The multi-purpose building is being given a ‘soft’ opening this month with an oscar and academy-themed film season. The full launch will be in April, with a diverse programme of shows, concerts, and live streaming of performances from the Royal Opera House, the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and others.

Groups such as the Shaldon Singers, the Torbay Police Choir and acts from the Teignmouth Folk Festival will also be performing.

Manager Nikki Small said they would also be taking live streams of other events, including pop festivals, as they became available.

‘The interest from local people has been massive. We also had about 100 people who turned up last weekend and offered to volunteer in the running of the pavilions.

‘We are sure it is going to be a huge success, attracting people from the immediate area and further afield.’

The building also houses offices for local businesses, a restaurant-bar overlooking the sea with an outside veranda, and function rooms.

Shelter removed

one of the old seafront shelters right outside the front of the pavilions has been removed by Teignbridge Council. It was looking tatty, and often used for anti-social activities.

A message at the site stated: ‘This shelter is being carefully removed to create an improved public area, linking the promenade with the new Pavilions building and town centre.

‘If the removal is successful and funding is available, it will be refurbished and relocated to a suitable position on The Den