As part of a larger programme of revitalization in the town centre of Lowestoft, ambitious plans have been unveiled to convert an empty building into a dynamic new visual arts and cultural facility.
The former Post Office building in London Road North is a centrepiece of the Town Investment Plan and is situated inside the London Road, Lowestoft High Street Heritage Action Zone.
The Post Office, which had been vacant, was bought by the former Waveney District Council in 2018 for development and to support town centre revitalization.
In March 2021, approval was given for a mixed-use commercial and residential development.
Cllr Craig Rivett, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Economic Development said:
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Lowestoft and has the potential to bring real benefits to the local economy and the community as well as the region more widely.
“As detailed within the Lowestoft Town Centre Masterplan and Town Investment Plan, culture and leisure are seen as key to regeneration of the town and similar creative projects elsewhere in the country have had a hugely positive effect on the local area, attracting large numbers of visitors and increasing footfall.
“Creating this cultural hub in the heart of the town centre with an internationally significant artist will bring in visitors who would not normally choose Lowestoft as a destination and will also attract further investment from other cultural and leisure providers, as well as providing essential community and educational opportunities.”
The project has been made possible through the support from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Towns Fund with £2,830,000 and £452,305 from Historic England to protect the significance of the Post Office building and enable its repair and restoration.
Tony Calladine, Regional Director for Historic England in the East of England said:
“We’re delighted to support the restoration of the Post Office and to see work start to bring this historic Grade II listed building back to life as a creative visual arts space. It’s an exciting new phase to the London Road Lowestoft High Street Heritage Action Zone and an important part of Lowestoft’s regeneration.”
Johnny Messum, Director of Messums Galleries, said:
"The Post Office is a wonderful building and I am delighted that we are able to develop a venue for creativity in Lowestoft, using this facility and the art that can be produced there to inspire the imagination.”
