£100 million project for Yarmouth promises to create local new jobs

A hugely ambitious £100m project to transform a forgotten corner of Norfolk into a premier destination for shopping and entertainment has been unveiled.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has revealed its plans to regenerate the North Quay area of the town, which officials say will be a “once in a generation” scheme on a scale rarely seen in the county.

The project will create a retail outlet centre with 70 stores, a 120-room hotel, restaurants, housing, a multi-storey car park and an IMAX cinema doubling as a conference centre.

Vauxhall Bridge will also be revamped and further improvements will be made to the public spaces.

About 1,000 long-term jobs will be generated once it is opened, while a further 500 roles will be required during the construction phase.

It is estimated up to two million people will visit every year, which council leaders say will boost the wider tourism industry.

They hope more investment will flood in to the town once the revamp is completed, to help regenerate the railway station and the high street.

The North Quay area, between Haven Bridge and the station, was once a key site for the town’s fishing industry.

More recently the land, which sits at the mouth of the Bure where it meets the Yare, has been used for industry and housing.

Much of it is derelict and the council has already purchased some of it. Officials say they are still in negotiations about acquiring the rest.

The project, funded in part by a £20m levelling up fund, has already been eight years in the pipeline and the council hopes it could be open within five years.

..

Carl Smith, Conservative leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “This incredibly exciting development will breathe new life into our town and is something we have been working towards for many years.

“The ambitious vision dovetails with our determination to make Great Yarmouth a thriving place to live, work and visit.”

North Quay’s regeneration is being delivered in conjunction with Rioja Estates, which has experience creating shopping destinations throughout the UK and Europe.

Giles Membrey, managing director, said the area offers a “unique” opportunity due to the substantial amount of brownfield land that will be developed in close proximity to the town and major transport links.

He said: “There is nothing like this in Norfolk.

“North Quay represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Great Yarmouth’s waterfront into a vibrant destination that the whole community can be proud of.

“Our vision is to create a thriving mixed-use quarter that celebrates the town’s unique character whilst attracting new investment, new brands, new visitors and, most importantly, creating new jobs for local people.”

Trevor Wainwright, leader of the Labour group, was excited about the opportunities it will offer for young people through a route to employment.

He said: “We want our young people to live here to stay and work in Yarmouth. We know at the moment a lot of youngsters leave the area.

“This development will be a great incentive for people to stay.”

Willmott Dixon has been chosen as the developer for the project.

...

Sheila Oxtoby, chief executive of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “Currently the area is not an attractive gateway to the town. This will regenerate an under-utilised area. Combined with the Conge housing development, it will boost this part of town.

“We remain in negotiations with land owners and hope to secure the entire site with negotiations. So far, this has been positive, but we will also use compulsory purchase powers if needed.”

Ms Oxtoby added that Greater Anglia is already in talks with the council about how it could make improvements to the railway station to accommodate more visitors..