THE Tropicana has cost council taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds to sit empty since it closed in 2000. Council bosses have remained tight lipped on the full costs of the derelict open-air pool, but general bills have rocketed. Water and electricity bi

THE Tropicana has cost council taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds to sit empty since it closed in 2000.Council bosses have remained tight lipped on the full costs of the derelict open-air pool, but general bills have rocketed.Water and electricity bills have cost £11,000, general repairs and security £21,000 and the refurbishment of the front £45,000 last year.Consultant Hugh Hope-Stone was hired for £4,949 to act as the council's agent and hold discussion groups on the future of the attraction.Figures for insurance, marketing and meetings on the attraction's future were unavailable.Grand Pier joint managing director Rod Brenner said the state of the Tropicana had led to a decrease in the number of visitors. He said: "The figures are pretty shocking, but it's hardly surprising. "The empty shell makes the place look abandoned and it has been putting off visitors for many years.