Complete the Winter Gardens survey to support major funding bid to save heritage landmark

The Grade II*-listed landmark is a national heritage gem, the UK's last surviving Victorian seaside cast iron and glass winter gardens, and it requires significant national investment to repair and restore, supported by a robust business plan for re-use.

With the project among only 12 shortlisted nationally to apply to the Heritage Horizons Awards scheme, Great Yarmouth Borough Council is working with conservation specialists and a preferred operator to finalise the application to the first stage of this very competitive multi-stage national funding pot.

The ambition is to save, restore and reimagine the Winter Gardens at the heart of Great Yarmouth's regeneration and daily life, as a year-round visitor attraction that makes the most of the unique building, its seafront location and its horticultural heritage, complementing the recently-restored Venetian Waterways and the new Marina Centre under construction.

To support their application for development funding, the project team is undertaking a survey to find out a bit more about what residents and visitors might want to see and do in the restored Winter Gardens, the sorts of activities, functions and attractions it could be used for.

People can take part until January 15^th, 2021 at www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/winter-gardens or complete the paper survey form available at Great Yarmouth Library.

Cllr Carl Smith and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, leaders of the council's main political groups, said: "Significant work is progressing behind the scenes to realise the community's dream of bringing our much-loved Winter Gardens back into viable and suitable use, including business case development, architectural work and exploring further funding opportunities.

"We're at the start of a competitive multi-stage application process for the major national investment needed. Vital work is continuing to ensure we're in the best possible position against stiff competition and we're asking you to help bolster our chances as a community by completing our activities survey.

"Imagine yourself in a restored Winter Gardens in a few years' time. What would be in it? What would you be doing? Perhaps you'd be enjoying a meal with family or socialising with friends, admiring the architecture and planting, maybe enjoying an event, exploring the history of the building, learning new skills, or perhaps volunteering and sharing your own skills and memories. The project team will feed back your views and ideas into our design process, so everyone's feedback is important."