Lowestoft Town Council secures support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for developing the Town Hall.

Lowestoft Town Council is delighted to announce that the Town Hall regeneration project has successfully secured second stage funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The award, worth £3,257,512, will play a pivotal role in revitalising the iconic Town Hall, with The National Lottery Heritage Fund panel recognising the project, led by Lowestoft Town Council, and its aim to make a “significant cultural, community, and economic contribution to Lowestoft”. 

Extensive consultation, including the opportunity to comment on the architectural designs, 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, alongside additional funding from Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund,  and Towns Fund, 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.  The Town Hall will also become the home for the Town Council with Council meetings and staff offices.

Cllr Sonia Barker, Mayor of Lowestoft said “This is the news we have all been waiting and hoping for.  The awarding of this funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible by National Lottery players, will enable us to bring this iconic building back into community use.  On behalf of Lowestoft Town Council, I wish to thank everyone who has contributed to this project by responding to consultations, engaging with our heritage events and through bringing their expertise and passion.”

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “I’m thrilled that we have been able to provide significant support to this project, which will revitalise and preserve the UK’s remarkable built heritage. Saving heritage is core to what we do, and we look forward to seeing Lowestoft Town Council delivering a transformational project for the Town Hall. National Lottery funding will help to ensure this heritage space will be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone’s future.”

Cllr Toby Hammond, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Economic Development and Transport said: “As a partner in the Town Hall project, we are delighted that this significant funding has been secured. East Suffolk Council is committed to improving Lowestoft and the refurbishment of the Town Hall is one of five transformational regeneration projects which received a share of the £24.9 million Towns Fund last year..”

Tony Calladine, Historic England Regional Director, said: “This is fantastic news. It’s wonderful to see the vision for Lowestoft Town Hall being realised. This important local landmark has played a pivotal role in local life for so many years and thanks to such a collaborative effort, and the enthusiasm of local people, it will once again be at the vibrant heart of the community.”

With this funding now in place, work on the building is set to begin in March 2024 with the Town Hall reopening in late Summer 2025.

The Lowestoft Town Hall Project is a Lowestoft Town Council initiative supported National Lottery players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Other significant funders for the regeneration include Historic England, The Architectural Heritage Fund, Towns Fund, and East Suffolk Council.