Lowestoft's former town hall set to be turned into £10m multi-use hub

Lowestoft Town Council said the rejuvenation of the empty building would revitalise the historic core of the town

A £10m transformation of a former town hall building will bring "social and economic benefit", a council said.

The granting of planning permission means the building in Lowestoft, Suffolk, will become a multi-use hub and will include a cafe, gallery and a community event space.

Work on the Victorian building is due to start in April, with a proposed reopening in late 2025.

The National Heritage Fund has provided about £3.2m for the project.

The building on the High Street, which was completed in 1860, has been empty since 2015 after Waveney District Council moved out, prior to its merger with Suffolk Coastal District Council to form East Suffolk Council.

A further £1.8m has come from the government's Towns Fund and East Suffolk Council, which has granted the planning permission, has given £900,000.

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Lowestoft Town Council said it would "contribute significantly to the revitalisation of the historic core of Lowestoft" and it had committed to taking out a £4m Public Works Loan, which has not yet been secured.

However, assurances have been made that council tax would not be increased as a direct result of this project, and no public service cuts or closure of amenities would be carried out.

Sarah Foote, deputy clerk at the town council, said it would bring "social and economic benefit" to the seaside port town.

There will be a council presence back in the town and people will be coming there for a purpose," she said.

The hub will also be able to accommodate the town council's office and registrar's offices.

It will also see a new events hall being built adjacent to Mariners Street, as well as the existing archive building being replaced with a new gallery extension.