Designed by Elder and Cannon, the two-year £8 million refurbishment programme will see major repairs to the Grade-A listed building, a second performance venue and a new top floor for meetings and conferences.

The revamp, which is being led by Argyll and Bute Council and the Prince’s Regeneration Trust, was made possible after a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £3.33m brought the funding drive towards its target back in February.

The pavilion is scheduled to re-open in summer 2017.

The first stage of the revamp will see surveys of the building undertaken and furniture and attachments removed before construction work begins early next year.

Rothesay Pavilion Charity will operate the new pavilion on lease from the council.