Demolition starts soon for Lowestoft town centre development

A new cultural quarter is set to be created in Lowestoft as part of a huge £24.3m development that will drive footfall and reinvigorate the town centre.

It will see the Battery Green multi-storey car park and surrounding land on Marina Road in Lowestoft transformed, with the creation of three "landmark" buildings.

Demolition work at Battery Green in Lowestoft will start in the coming weeks. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With a new restaurant catering for 80 people, a civic square, pop up bars and leisure uses earmarked, the Cultural Quarter 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.

It will see the demolition of the Marina Centre building's north wing and "the substantial and complete redevelopment" of the Battery Green car park site in Lowestoft.

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

With preparatory work already under way, work at Battery Green has seen hoardings installed, resulting in the closure of the car park, ahead of the start of works.

One of the hoardings states: "Battery Green - coming soon.

"The existing multi-storey car park will be partially demolished and the site cleared to make way for a vibrant new development which will support cultural activities, as well as a commercial offer providing a range of creative uses."

Conceptual image of the proposed public realm at night for the Cultural Quarter project in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)

The public toilets at Gordon Road will also be permanently closed as part of this multi-million-pound redevelopment, with new toilet facilities to be included in the new development.

Developers say the new site will create 74 full-time jobs, in addition to more during the construction phase.

It comes after Lowestoft was awarded £24.9m from the government's £3.6bn Towns Fund in 2021 for five key projects in the heart of the town - with one of these regeneration schemes a new Cultural Quarter.

Conceptual image of the proposed Cultural Quarter project in Lowestoft. Picture: Chaplin Farrant (Image: Chaplin Farrant)

An East Suffolk Council spokesman said: "The site has been set up and internal works to the former Wilko site have begun.

"Scaffolding will shortly be erected, and the main demolition will begin within the coming weeks and is expected to be completed by the end of September."

The cultural quarter is due to be completed by spring 2026.