Lowestoft Town Council is delighted to announce that it has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) for the Town Hall.

Extensive consultation has demonstrated that the Town Hall is still very important to local people who overwhelmingly support its being brought back into community use and as an operational Town Hall. This funding will assist the Town Council to progress its plans to renovate the Town Hall with provision for a compelling and innovative heritage hub, gallery space with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, wedding and reception venue with catering facilities, co-working space for sole traders and small businesses, a café, and additional community event space. 

Development funding of £166,870, made possible by National Lottery players, will fund preparatory work to help secure a full grant at a later date. The project is also being supported by a second grant from AHF of £65,000. 

As part of this development work, the Town Council will hold ‘Town Hall Take Over’ activities in collaboration with young people who will co-design and create their own project on a heritage theme of their choice. 

These grants come on the back of the £2million from the Towns Fund earmarked for the Town Hall which is a prominent landmark located within the North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone.  Additional investment has also been secured from Historic England to undertake a Conservation Management Plan to help the Town Council care for, conserve, and manage the Town Hall. Historic England funds the North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone and also commissioned the report looking at options for the Lowestoft’s historic Town Hall.

The Mayor of Lowestoft said “This is the news we have all been waiting and hoping for.  The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund have worked with and supported Lowestoft Town Council and partners to bring forward community and heritage centred plans.”

Gavin Richards, Programme Manager, Architectural Heritage Fund, said Bringing the Town Hall back into use for the community is vital if Lowestoft town centre is to bounce back and thrive into the future. The AHF has been supporting the Town Council for the last few years to help achieve that aim and this new investment is another major step forward.”

Cllr Craig Rivett, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Economic Development, said, this funding moves the Town Hall, a step closer to being fully restored, coming back into use and supporting the wider regeneration of the town.  The Town Hall is a significant building in the North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone and I am thrilled that the HAZ partnership has played a vital role in securing this investment and thanks to NLHF, Lottery Players and AHF for their support.

Edward James, Historic Places Adviser at Historic England, said “This is really great news, and is an exciting step forwards towards the full revitalisation of this important piece of Lowestoft’s heritage for Lowestoft’s community.”

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North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone

Launched in 2019 by Historic England in partnership with East Suffolk Council, the North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone is reviving historic North Lowestoft through the renewal of historic buildings and routes, celebrating the legacy of the town’s fishing past.

The Heritage Action Zone Partnership comprises Historic England, East Suffolk Council, Lowestoft Town Council, East Suffolk Building Preservation Trust and Lowestoft Vision (the Business Improvement District).

The North Lowestoft Heritage Action Zone includes some of the oldest parts of the town. This was originally the main medieval settlement, grown around the fishing industry, with merchants’ housing and commercial premises lining the High Street on the cliff top, whilst the buildings associated with fishing, such as net stores and workers cottages, were on the lower ground area by the sea. They were connected by the Scores, narrow pathways which linked the High Street to the shore. The area is home to many fine historic buildings, the oldest dating back to the 15th century, as well as the late 19th century registered park and garden, Belle Vue Park.

 About Historic England 

We are Historic England the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England’s spectacular historic environment, from beaches and battlefields to parks and pie shops. We protect, champion and save the places that define who we are and where we’ve come from as a nation. We care passionately about the stories they tell, the ideas they represent and the people who live, work and play among them. Working with communities and specialists we share our passion, knowledge and skills to inspire interest, care and conservation, so everyone can keep enjoying and looking after the history that surrounds us all.

About Heritage Action Zones: 

Heritage Action Zones will unleash the power in England’s historic environment to create economic growth and improve quality of life in villages, towns and cities.

Working with local people and partners, Historic England will help to breathe new life into old places that are rich in heritage and full of promise - unlocking their potential and making them more attractive to residents, businesses, tourists and investors. We will do this with joint-working, grant funding and sharing our skills.

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund:

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. 

Each week, National Lottery players raise £36 million for good causes across the UK.

www.heritagefund.org.uk 

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund 

About The Architectural Heritage Fund:

Architectural Heritage Fund is a registered charity, working since 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. We are the only specialist heritage social investor in the UK. We provide advice, development grants and loans.www.ahfund.org.uk

Contact details for the Council: admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk  Tel: 0330 053 6019

Website:www.lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk