Cultural hub and restaurant vision for Lowestoft showcased

Proposed designs for improvements in the Marina area, which will introduce new facilities introduced into Lowestoft town centre, have been revealed as part of an "exciting" regeneration project.

The Studio Public Realm earmarked. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)

The conceptual designs for the Cultural Quarter project - which will see the redevelopment of East Suffolk Council’s current Customer Services Centre and the former Battery Green multi-storey car park - were displayed at an event on Wednesday.

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

With the development earmarked to provide a new cultural and community hub with studio space for creative businesses together with a competitive leisure complex and restaurant, designs were showcased at the Marina Customer Services Centre ahead of the submission of a planning application.

The earmarked Marina Road. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)

Residents and stakeholders were able to view the proposed designs, and an East Suffolk Council spokesman said: "The event was well attended, with a mixture of residents and local business owners visiting to find out more and view the designs, speak with the architects and use a virtual reality headset to be fully immersed in the plans."

An aerial conceptual image of the proposed Cultural Quarter in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)

One attendee said the plans were "very impressive" and they would help to "improve the area" and "create jobs in the future" while also providing "a new lease of life to a virtually unused area.”

An aerial conceptual image of the proposed Cultural Quarter in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)

Working closely with East Suffolk Council, Norwich-based architects Chaplin Farrant - in partnership with Hemingway Design - have developed the designs, that are available to view online from October 5 at www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk

A conceptual image of the proposed flexible hall in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)

Toby Hammond, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for economic development and transport, said: "In combination with other regeneration projects, this new development will help attract people to the town centre, support the town’s vibrant arts and heritage sector and become a destination for residents to enjoy and be proud of."

A conceptual image of the proposed lobby in the Cultural Quarter in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)

With the Cultural Quarter project one of five transformational regeneration projects - which received £24.9m from the Government’s Towns Fund last year - all projects are due to be completed by March 2026.

A conceptual image of the proposed Flexible Hall in the Cultural Quarter in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)