Lowestoft Town Council
Lowestoft Town Council, the Marina Theatre Trust and East Suffolk Council are pleased to announce that The Input Group have been awarded the contract to deliver the works to upgrade the Marina Theatre building in Lowestoft.
The project will see one of Suffolk’s leading venues for theatre, music and comedy be significantly upgraded with the creation of a new theatre entrance within a new link building between the existing Victorian Theatre and the more modern existing box office. The new link building will incorporate a lift to give access for all visitors to all floors of the Theatre, new toilets and a relocated and expanded box office facility.
Speaking about the project, the Mayor of Lowestoft, Cllr Nasima Begum said: “I am delighted that a contractor has been appointed to deliver these works. The improvements will bring significant upgrades to the Marina Theatre which I hope will improve the experiences for everyone who visits and works at the Theatre.”
Sam Vallerius, General Manager of The Marina Theatre said: “The Marina Theatre Trust are pleased to be moving forward with these plans that will improve the level of service we are able to offer our customers. The improvements, which were highlighted in an audience consultation, will see us become a more accessible and updated venue. We extend our thanks to Lowestoft Town Council and East Suffolk Council for their support on this project.”
Cllr Sarah Whitelock, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “We are pleased to see these improvements progressing, which are funded through Lowestoft’s £24.9m allocation from the Government’s Towns Fund, secured by East Suffolk Council. These works will further enhance the theatre and increase access for everyone, as well as complementing the major redevelopment work being undertaken by East Suffolk Council at nearby Battery Green.”
Throughout the year the Marina Theatre hosts a variety of shows including their monthly Comedy Club and their upcoming and ever-popular Christmas Pantomime. The theatre also offers cinema screenings, community classes and a café. The works will not impact on the Pantomime Season.
The Marina Theatre Project is a Lowestoft Town Council (as building owners) Project, in partnership with the Marina Theatre Trust and East Suffolk Council, with funding from UK Government’s Towns Fund.
Read more on Contractor Awarded Works For Marina Theatre Project
Following on from another successful Creative Writing and Visual Arts Competition to mark Black History Month, the winning entries and schools were invited to an awards ceremony at the Hotel Victoria last Friday.
The competition, organised by Lowestoft Town Council, encourages local schools and their students to think about the inspiring people of Black and Ethnic Minority heritage - past and present.
This year’s competition saw entries celebrating the likes of Bukayo Saka, Mae Jemison, Mary Seacole and Usain Bolt with entries coming in the forms of diary entries, fact sheets and raps in the creative writing competition, and African hand art and pointillism in the visual arts competition. For 2024, the age categories were expanded so that submissions could be judged more fairly against similar work.
In the overall school competition, the Creative Writing Category was won by Oulton Broad Primary due to the high quality and variety of entries that they submitted. For the second year in the row, Phoenix St Peter’s Primary School was awarded the Visual Arts Award thanks to their colourful whole school display.
The individual award winners were:
Creative Writing – Year 5-6
Winner – Matilda (for her rap about Rosa Parks)
Runners-Up – George and Edward (who both wrote about Bukayo Saka)
Creative Writing - Year 10-11
Winner – Samuel (who wrote a lovely reflection on how brave Mary Seacole was)
Runner -Up – Sophie (for her beautifully written piece about Mary Seacole)
Visual Arts – Nursery-Reception
Winner – Lena (for her drawing of a bus, depicting the story of Rosa Parks)
Visual Arts – Year 1-2
Winner – Harry (for the use of vibrant colours and shapes)
Runners-Up – Billie and Jashwika (for their use of different patterns)
Visual Arts – Year 3-4
Winner – Pippa (for her use of intricate details)
Runners-Up – Ethan (for his use of colour) and Jessica (for her use of different mediums to depict Mae Jemison)
Visual Arts – 5-6
Winner – Ozzie (for the use of delicate details and patterns)
Runners-Up – Yvie and Maisie (for their use of different mediums to portray Kamala Harris and Lewis Hamilton)
The awards ceremony also included a video message from Lowestoft’s Olympic Medallist Anthony Ogogo who shared his personal story of growing up in Lowestoft as someone with Black and Mixed Race Heritage, and a series of poems and short stories form the author Ivya Scott who also works with the Suffolk Windrush Community.
Speaking at the awards, Cllr Nasima Begum, Mayor of Lowestoft, said “Once again, we have been amazed by the number and quality of the artwork and creative writing that has been submitted. This competition is now in its fourth year, and I am proud to see that it keeps growing with more variety of entries.”
Read more on Awards Ceremony Celebrates Black History Month Competition
Thousands of people gathered at the War Memorial on Royal Plain to mark Remembrance Sunday on Sunday 10th November.
This annual service, organised by Lowestoft Town Council, pays tribute to the nation's brave servicemen and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for our freedom. The service was led by Revd Canon Simon Stokes with the Deputy Lieutenant Deborah Cadman leading the wreath laying. The two-minutes silence at 11am was marked with the firing of the 105mm (L118) Light Gun from F (Sphinx Parachute Battery, 7thParachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery.
Music for the occasion was provided by the English Brass Quintet.
Speaking about the service, the Mayor of Lowestoft, Cllr Nasima Begum, said “It was an honour to be a part of this poignant occasion. Thank you to everyone who attended and took part, especially to the standard bearers and everyone involved in the parade. Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day has a special meaning to so many within our community and it is a privilege to see so many gather together to pay our respects.”
On Armistice Day, two smaller services, also organised by Lowestoft Town Council, took place at the War Memorial, Royal Plain and at Lowestoft Cemetery which included short readings given by local schools.
On Sunday 10th November, Lowestoft will be marking Remembrance Sunday with its annual Parade and Service.
The service, taking place by the War Memorial on Royal Plain, will start around 10:50am following the parade which will make its way along the promenade from Claremont Pier. The parade is being led by soldiers of F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery Royal Horse Artillery, 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.
The two-minutes silence at 11am will then be marked by the sound of gun fire from the 105mm (L118) Light Gun from F (Sphinx) Parachute Battery Royal Horse Artillery, 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.
The wreath laying this year will be led by the Deputy Lieutenant for Suffolk, Deborah Cadman, OBE. Following the wreath laying, anyone wishing to lay a personal tribute at the War Memorial will be welcome to do so.
The service sheet is now available to download from our website for anyone wishing to follow the service on a digital device or print it off at home.
East Suffolk Council have kindly arranged for free parking to take place between 8am and 1pm on Sunday 10 November in Royal Green, Claremont Pier, Kirkley Cliff, Clifton Road, Belvedere Road and Britten Centre car parks.
On Monday 11th November, there will be two short services to mark Armistice Day. These will be taking place at the War Memorial, Royal Plain, and at Lowestoft Cemetery. Both will start shortly before 11am in time for the two-minutes silence.
Following the 49th annual service of remembrance for the Royal Naval Patrol Service, Lowestoft Town Council were honoured to bestow the 'Freedom of the Town' - the highest award it can honour - to the Royal Naval Patrol Service Association (RNPSA).
Speaking during the handing over of the award which took place at Sparrows Nest Gardens, the Mayor of Lowestoft, Cllr Nasima Begum said: "It is fitting that we are awarding the Freedom of the Town today in the shadow of the former RNPS Headquarters and its current museum and National Office. The title of Honorary Freedom of the Town celebrates the RNPSA's service to its members and its continued dedication to the town of Lowestoft."
The 'Freedom of the Town' is the highest honour that the Town Council can bestow on a person or organisation and is reserved for persons or organisations of distinction who are linked to Lowestoft and have rendered eminent services to the Town.
Nominations for the award of 'Freedom of the Town' are made by the public and considered by the Town Council. When awarded the 'Freedom of the Town', the title holder, or a representative from the organisation, is formally invited to attend all civic events organised by the Town Council.
Following extensive refurbishment, the public conveniences at the Historic Triangle Market were opened on 2nd October 2024 by Cllr Nasima Begum, Mayor of Lowestoft and Lowestoft Town Councillors.
This forms part of the ongoing project to regenerate the Triangle Market area following the recent removal of the Sails, addition of grassed areas around the trees and the installation of four new wooden kiosks to compliment the existing and refurbished kiosks.
The refurbished public conveniences include two unisex toilets, a disabled access toilet and the installation of a "living eco-roof".
Speaking at the official opening, Cllr Nasima Begum, Mayor of Lowestoft said: "It is my honour to mark the completion of this phase of the Triangle Market project. Lowestoft Town Council is committed to supporting the High Street and this area's ambition to be a thriving community for traders. Bringing these much-needed facilities back into public use completes the next stage in these plans.
"I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the works on the new kiosks and the refurbished public conveniences."
With these recent improvements, the Town Council is looking to promote the area and encourage new traders to hire the kiosks. The kiosks are available for pop-up, short-term and long-term use throughout the year with interested traders encouraged to contact the Town Council for further details.
The public conveniences will be open from 8am-4pm over the winter period, with extended hours of 8am-8pm over the summer months.
Read more on New Public Conveniences open as part of continued Triangle Market project
The Town Hall project has reached an important milestone – we have completed our stage 4 design drawings, and we are seeking contractors to undertake the main work.
Designs are firmed up in terms of what the Town Hall might look like. There are several features that will make the building feel very different to how it did decades ago, when residents turned up to pay their rates!
Firstly, we are knocking down the wall that faces you as you go in the main doors. For years, this has made the building feel like somewhere local people were not really welcome. Our architects, HAT Projects, have incorporated the void between the old Town Hall from 1859 and the Compass Street extensions of 1899, to create ‘The Yard’: a thoroughfare that leads to the café, heritage gallery and events space, and generally says ‘Come on in!’ Along the Yard we will have exhibition cases built into the walls, displaying the civic artefacts and other items from the town.
There will be lots of spaces for the public to use, including smaller meeting rooms and the big events space. A messy room will double up as somewhere to run creative workshops alongside a suitable place for youth groups to use, where noone will be too precious about the floor/walls etc!
Meanwhile, all the historic features of the building will be restored, including the stained-glass windows, the Council Chamber itself, the clock faces and all the colourful encaustic tiled floors.
At a practical level, the Town Hall will, of course, have several accessible toilets, but in addition, we are delighted that it will include a Changing Places room, which provides facilities for people with more complex needs. This will allow those who cannot use toilet facilities independently to still be able to visit and enjoy the building.
As noted at the outset, we are in the midst of the tender for the main construction contract. This is where we go out with our detailed designs and pricing documents, and invite contractors to bid for the work. We are pleased to have received several compliant bids for the work, but unfortunately, all exceed our budget.
Our design team has been reviewing designs to find ways to deliver the project more economically, and we have put a package together that has gone back out to the bidders for pricing. However, we know that although we will reduce costs, we will not bring them back in line with budget – there are too many complexities that cannot be eliminated, and a market that is seeing very high inflation across the board.
We have approached our funders, including the Heritage Fund and East Suffolk Council, to discuss the issue and are in the process of applying for uplifts from them. If necessary, Lowestoft Town Council will increase its Public Works Loan Board loan to £5m. This can still be repaid annually without in itself triggering a rise in Council Tax. This is something we promised during last year’s consultations, and we will keep that promise.
If all goes to plan, and the additional funds are secured, we would hope to appoint a contractor at the end of this year, and to complete the work by late Spring/Summer 2026.
Meanwhile, the heritage activity plan continues apace. Look out for lots of events, workshops, talks and activities that you can participate in as part of this exciting project.
It’s a long time in the making, but we know it will be worth the wait!
Today marks the start of Black History Month in the UK - a month of shining a light on the stories and history of Black individuals both in the UK and globally.
To mark Black History Month, Lowestoft Town Council is running its Creative Writing and Visual Arts Competition aligning with the national theme of "Reclaiming Narratives". The theme aims to honour our heroes, embrace our stories and empower and educate.
Throughout October, we'll be sharing some inspiring messages and quotes from local Black History Month ambassadors as inspiration for the competition.
Entries to the competition can be in many forms. Last year's competition saw over 700 entries with the winners using a variety of writing and art styles to celebrate their inspiring figure.
Lowestoft Town Council are once again organising the annual commemorations for Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day in Lowestoft.
The annual service to commemorate Remembrance Sunday will take place on Sunday 10th November at the War Memorial on Royal Plain. This ceremony will begin shortly before 11am, following the parade from Claremont Pier. As with previous years, representatives from organisations and businesses will be welcome to lay wreaths at the War Memorial. If you would like to take part in the wreath laying and/or parade, please complete the booking form and return to admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk
Armistice Day is on Monday 11th November and will be marked at the War Memorial on Royal Plain, Lowestoft Cemetery, and Belle Vue Park. These short ceremonies will begin shortly before 11am.
All are welcome to attend these services as we gather as a community to pay tribute to the brave service personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Read more on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day to be marked in Lowestoft
Lowestoft Town Council is seeking your views on the bus network in the town and surrounding area. In 2019 the Council declared a climate emergency and is committed to reducing its environmental footprint, including supporting alternatives to car use such as walking, cycling and public transport.
We are working with our partners to campaign for better bus services in and around Lowestoft and need to understand why residents use and more importantly, do not use the bus.
The questionnaire can be completed online or by filling in a survey flyer available from Lowestoft Library or Lowestoft Central Project Station Shop & Tourist Information Office (Lowestoft Railway Station).
Please complete this short questionnaire to help us work with Suffolk County Council and other transport partners to promote the need for greater investment in, and integration of public transport services.
The deadline for the survey is Tuesday 17th September.
