Great Yarmouth Borough Council supports preservation trust to save historic former Iron Duke pub for future generations

Yesterday (Tuesday, December 15^th), the council's policy and resources committee agreed a loan enabling the preservation trust to buy the grade II-listed art deco building in Jellicoe Road from its current owners Bourne Leisure.

Once in the trust's ownership, the charity will use its own funds to undertake emergency repairs making the building wind- and weather-tight, before undertaking feasibility work to develop a scheme of repair and sustainable reuse, in addition to exploring external funding options for restoration.

Cllr Carl Smith, the council leader, said: "The Iron Duke contributes to the special character of the borough and is part of its 20^th century history. We are pleased to be supporting the preservation trust to purchase this historic building in order to preserve and breathe new life into it for future generations.

"Over many years, we have worked closely with the trust, which has a nationally-recognised track record for successful repair and sustainable re-use of vacant historic buildings, supporting wider regeneration work, saving our heritage and creating training and job opportunities in the process."

Bernard Williamson, chairman of the preservation trust, said: "We are delighted that a sale of this important historic building has been agreed and we hope we will complete and take ownership before the end of the year.

"This will be the beginning of a very exciting restoration project, and more of the town's special heritage will be brought back into use. The continuing support of the borough council has enabled the preservation trust to tackle a number of buildings at risk which otherwise might have been lost."

Notes to editors:

·       The Iron Duke is a grade II listed building, an Art Deco public house built in the late 1930s and completed in 1948. It closed in 2008. For more information, visit https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1451795  

·       Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust is a registered charity working to preserve the heritage and culture of Great Yarmouth. The Trust, which was established in 1979, often works in partnership with Great Yarmouth Borough Council on joint projects such as the Waterways and the repair of the mediaeval town wall.