Works starting soon for £24.3m transformation in Lowestoft

The latest milestone in the creation of a new cultural quarter in Lowestoft as part of a huge £24.3m development has been reached with the appointment of a construction company.

L-R: Alister Broadberry, Cllr Tess Gandy, Brendan Kelly, Emma Bellward (ESC), Darren Newman (ESC), Paul Wood (ESC), Mark Camidge, Paul Banks,  Cllr Tim Wilson, Cllr Keith Patience, Richard Smithson, Cllr Janet Craig and Michelle Burdett (ESC). (Image: East Suffolk Council) They will deliver the works that will drive footfall and reinvigorate the urban area - previously dubbed a 'zombie town', with more than a quarter of stores boarded up.

The Battery Green car park in Lowestoft - back in November 2022. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) It will see the Battery Green multi-storey car park and surrounding land on Marina Road in Lowestoft transformed, with three landmark buildings due to go up.

A conceptual image of the proposed Public Realm at night for the Cultural Quarter project in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant) The new quarter will feature a new restaurant catering for 80 people, a civic square, a new cultural and community hub with studio space for creative businesses, pop up bars and leisure sites.

A conceptual image of the proposed Upper Terrace for the Cultural Quarter project in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant) The project - which when complete will be known as Battery Green - has received £14.3m from the government's Towns Fund and £10m from East Suffolk Council's Capital Fund.

Signs for Lowestoft's Cultural Quarter as ongoing works continue at the former Battery Green car park in town. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With Morgan Sindall Construction awarded the contract to deliver the construction works, they will begin work with the project’s architects Chaplin Farrant to finalise the technical designs before moving onto the build phase in January 2025.

The ongoing partial demolition of the Battery Green car park in Lowestoft captured last month. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The partial demolition of the former multi-storey car park site began on July 30 and is due to be completed by mid-December.

The Marina Centre in Lowestoft, which was closed in September. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Last month, P.J. Spillings was awarded the contract for the demolition of the northern wing of East Suffolk Council’s former Marina Customer Services Centre and internal alterations to the remainder of the building.

An aerial shot of the car park before demolition. Picture: Mike Page (Image: Mike Page)

Battery Green is one of five transformational regeneration projects which received £24.9m from the government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund in 2022.

A conceptual image of the proposed Retained Car Park for the Cultural Quarter project in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant) Construction is expected to finish by spring 2026.

A conceptual image of the proposed community hub for the Cultural Quarter project in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)

Lowestoft MP Jess Asato said: "Battery Green will breathe new life into our high street, transforming it into a welcoming space that will boost business, enrich our cultural scene, and help restore Lowestoft's charm for future generations."

Alister Broadberry, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said: "This project will play a crucial role in rejuvenating the town centre and creating a vibrant hub for the community."