Lowestoft Town Hall - Refurbishment and Construction of Extensions

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 the Registrars will become 'anchor' tenants; the remainder of the building will include a heritage gallery, a café, art gallery, coworking 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.

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 Procurement Route is an Open Tender (subject to meeting minimum selection criteria using the Common Assessment Standard Questionnaire, experience and financial standards).

The works are designed to RIBA 4 and a Bill of Quantities will be the pricing document. 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.

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.