The Place

In 2022, Great Yarmouth Borough Council secured funding through the Government’s Town Deal and Future High Streets Fund to transform the site into The Place – a new library, university and adult learning hub, registry office and civic space.

The Place sits at the heart of Great Yarmouth’s regeneration story, transforming a much-loved but long-vacant landmark into a vibrant hub for learning and community activity. Achieving this however, required a complex, top-to-bottom transformation of the 5,300sqm, five-storey former department store, integrating a wide range of facilities including classrooms, IT labs, art studios, medical training spaces, a simulated hospital environment, a library and flexible community areas.

A key challenge was delivering these modern spaces within a much-loved historic building that had continually evolved over the past 180 years, and one that had been left to deteriorate following its closure.

While the easier option would have been to retain the façade and rebuild behind it, the project instead committed to preserving as much of the original structure as possible. As the interiors were stripped back, layers of the building’s history were revealed - from original circulation routes to long-hidden stained glass and ornate ceilings concealed by decades of retail fit-outs. These details weren’t treated as relics, but as anchors, carefully integrated into a modern layout, with design decisions subtle but deliberate.

The team also had to respond to a range of unforeseen structural challenges. Significant water ingress had left floors saturated and the roof compromised, requiring considerable redesign to ensure the building’s long-term future.

Procured through the SCAPENational Construction framework, early contractor engagement and high levels of collaboration were encouraged to drive efficient decision-making and cost control. The project demanded an agile approach, with careful sequencing and close stakeholder coordination to minimise disruption and maintain programme certainty as the scheme evolved.

At the same time, the refurbishment had to meet contemporary expectations – ensuring full accessibility, inclusive design, light-filled interiors and a calm, welcoming environment. Innovation was embedded throughout, with modern methods of refurbishment and high-performance building systems including advanced ventilation, energy-efficient lighting and renewable technologies. Numerous carbon-reducing materials and technologies were also adopted within the design, helping save 43 tonnes of carbon from the build.

The former Palmers department store had been a defining feature of the town centre for generations, and its closure marked a significant moment for the local community. Its restoration therefore carried not only technical complexity, but a deep responsibility to preserve its heritage and restore a sense of pride.

This sense of local ownership was embedded throughout delivery. The project team intentionally prioritised local labour and supply chain partners, recognising that those closest to the scheme had the greatest personal investment in its success.

In total, 62% of the workforce and 68% of project spend came from within just 20 miles, with 99% directed to small and medium-sized enterprises. This approach not only strengthened the local economy but fostered genuine pride among those delivering the project – many of whom had a personal connection to the building and its legacy.

Care for the community remained central, with works carefully managed to minimise disruption within the busy town centre. This commitment was reflected in a Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 45/45, demonstrating a highly respectful and community-focused approach.

Ultimately, The Place is more than a regeneration project - it is a symbol of renewal, shaped by local people for the benefit of local people, and delivered with a shared ambition to see Great Yarmouth thrive again.

The delivery of projects like The Place highlight the powerful role regeneration can play in coastal towns, where long-term economic challenges have often led to decline and reduced opportunity.

From the outset, the project focused on creating lasting local impact, with more than £6.4 million of social value reinvested into the community through initiatives designed to engage local people, support skills development and create meaningful long-term opportunities.

A key priority was inspiring the next generation. The project delivered 370 apprenticeship and T-Level training weeks, alongside 41 work placement weeks, giving students valuable, real-world experience. Students from East Norfolk Sixth Form and East Coast College regularly visited the site to gain first-hand insight into construction careers, helping to address the industry’s ongoing skills shortage.

For some, these opportunities proved life-changing. Local bricklaying students Dylan Piggin and Richard Liffen first stepped onto site during a college visit, before securing two-week work placements. Their enthusiasm and commitment quickly led to them receiving full-time roles with supply chain partner Quantrill Contractors, with their journey demonstrating the lasting impact of connecting education with industry, and how regeneration can create real pathways into employment.

Alongside this, the team contributed 228 volunteering hours and raised more than £1,650 in support of local initiatives, including the restoration of a sports equipment storage unit at Wellesley Recreation Groundthat was close to collapse, returning a valued community asset to use.