The Iron Duke restoration project has reached a major milestone with the submission of the final details of the proposed restoration to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and applications for both planning permission and listed building consent.
The first stage application to The Heritage Fund was approved in January 2023 and since then Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust and commercial partners Zaks have worked with Burrell Foley Fischer and a team of consultants and other experts to develop the project to the point where, with Heritage Fund approval, the construction phase can begin.
The plans will see the stunning art deco building fully and faithfully restored back to how it would have originally looked in its heyday as a beacon of 1930’s modernity.
On the ground floor Zaks will create a pub in one of the two original bars serving local beers from Lacons Brewery and cocktails with a nod to the 1930’s period. The other bar will become a restaurant where food will be cooked in view of the customers. Both bars will have an art deco aesthetic which has been developed through researching the historic archives and input from conservation paint consultants.
In the past the first floor provided accommodation for the pub manager this will be repurposed to create two holiday flats helping to ensure that the investment by the Heritage Fund, Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust and Zaks will allow a long term viable solution to the currently vacant building. The area around the building will be carefully landscaped and designs will allow access for all.
It is hoped that if the stage two submission is approved work on site will begin early in 2025 aiming for a grand opening in the spring of 2026.
Bernard Williamson, Chair GYPT, said:
“This is an extraordinarily exciting project which will see a fascinating and beautiful building brought back to life. It has taken a while to reach this point but the Preservation Trust and Zaks have been careful to ensure that the correct team of professionals and consultants with the level of expertise needed for a project of this complexity were drawn together to bring a successful outcome.
The robust and thorough approach to the development period has left no stone unturned there have been extensive below ground surveys, historic paint analysis, even unexploded bomb surveys. All this work together with the sensitive architectural design work and business planning will help get the building restored and back in use.”
Ian Hacon, Zaks, commented:
“We are really excited to see the Iron Duke reach this major milestone. Assuming the bid is successful, we can’t wait to get in there and start serving lovely food and drink to the people of Great Yarmouth and beyond.”
In addition to the construction and restoration work there will be a range of opportunities for the people to become involved with the project, these include learning traditional building skills, an ongoing photography recording project, workshops centred around food and cooking with an emphasis on local and low cost, a painting scheme to create murals for the hoardings around the site depicting the history of the building and much more.
The Iron Duke prior to restoration
Councillor Carl Smith, leader of GYBC said:
“We are delighted that the proposals for breathing new life into the Iron Duke have reached this stage. The pub is a key landmark in Great Yarmouth and the council has been pleased to lend its support to GYPT as it worked with heritage partners on such an ambitious vision for the future of the building. We hope the restoration of the pub will once more see residents and visitors able to enjoy and appreciate the Iron Duke.’’