Great Yarmouth theatre wins bollards grant to stop 'nuisance' parking

Theatre director Debbie Thompson and councillor James Bensly say parked cars are causing a nuisance

Bollards will be installed around a theatre to prevent unregulated "nuisance" parking blocking the area.

St George's Theatre in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has been awarded £10,000 by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to deal with the issue.

Theatre bosses say the cars block access for emergency vehicles and disabled visitors and cause a hazard.

The grant is aimed at local arts and culture organisations to help them extend their reach and impact.

More than 20 organisations across Great Yarmouth applied for the funding. The borough council has not yet identified all of the successful bids.

St George's will use the grant to enclose the theatre, plaza and café with bollards to prevent unregulated parking that has plagued the site.

Cars parked outside the theatre block the emergency services and disabled access, the venue said

Debbie Thompson, the theatre director, said: "The cars prevent access for emergency vehicles and disabled people attending the theatre and cause damage to the surrounding surfaces.

"Some drivers also use the plaza as a short cut to get from King Street to Deneside, which is extremely dangerous."

In addition to the £10,000 grant from the UKSPF, further funding contributions for the work at St George's have been offered by the Norfolk Parking Partnership and Norfolk County Council ward councillors.

Work is set to begin in the New Year and should help to secure the theatre's cultural programme in the long term by enabling more people to safely participate in group activities, cultural events and theatre performances.

James Bensly, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for tourism, culture and coast, said: "The interest in the UKSPF culture grants shows the need to continue to invest in our cultural assets and support local businesses.

"Great Yarmouth is a historic town and capital grants such as this are key to making the most of our assets. This funding will go a long way to supporting St George's Theatre, making sure people can access the site safely."

He added: "The theatre is a fantastic asset for the borough and this funding will not only make the site safer and more accessible, but also provide the opportunity to make the most of the plaza."

Commissioned in 1714 as a church, the Grade I listed St George's was deconsecrated in 1959 and fell into disrepair, until it found a new lease of life in the 1970s as a theatre and arts centre.

It closed in 2006 when severe structural defects were discovered. A major repair and restoration project began in 2009.

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