Lowestoft Town Hall Restoration & Extension

PIN: The Grade II Lowestoft Town Hall was built during the late Victorian period and has been vacant since 2015. It is a prominent landmark on Lowestoft's historic High Street. Now owned by Lowestoft Town Council, grant funding from the Heritage Fund, Towns Fund and East Suffolk Council is supporting a project to restore and extend it.
The restored Town Hall will be transformed into a multifunctional community building - 1,900sqm over two floors - bringing significant footfall to this deprived area.

Lowestoft Town Council and Lowestoft Registrars will become 'anchor' tenants; the remainder of the building will include a heritage gallery, a café, art gallery, co-working space, meeting rooms and events spaces, around a courtyard garden.

The development of the Town Hall is intended to contribute to economic regeneration, part of a multimillion-pound investment programme in this most easterly town.

HAT Projects architects have developed the designs to RIBA4. Planning and listed building consent were secured in late 2023.

The works consist of:

• Demolition of some parts of the current structure/strip out of later additions to the building. • Extensive reconfiguration and restoration of the existing buildings, including conservation of the historic fabric, including lime plaster, mouldings, original sash windows and doors, original floors etc and slate roof replacement. • Construction of a new events space with prep kitchen and bar, and an art gallery • M&E throughout including low carbon technologies (air source heat pumps, PV panels, MVHR etc), fire and security alarms; lifts; AV support.
• Groundworks, services and landscaping.

The works will be procured as a single stage, under a JCT 2016 Standard Building Contract with Quantities; a full Bill of Quantities will be the pricing document.

Tenders will be advised that the site is in a relatively busy location, with residents nearby. However, the vacant land immediately adjacent to the west will be made available for site accommodation and storage etc.

* OPEN DAY* An informal Open Day at the Town Hall will be held on Monday 15 April 2024 at 11am. Potential contractors will be able to view the Town Hall and understand the plans onsite with the architect; the QS will also be present to answer any questions.

To register for a place, please email admin@lowestofttowncouncil.gov.uk for details.