Great Yarmouth Borough Council thanks community for phenomenal support as it submits next stage of Winter Gardens Lottery bid

In total, 2,365 residents and visitors took part in the recent four-week "activities and functions" survey, to support the council's application for development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund's Heritage Horizons Awards scheme. This is the next stage of a competitive multi-stage national application process.

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.

In February 2020, the Winter Gardens was announced as one of just 12 projects shortlisted to apply for a share of £50m from this competitive national pot, with £9.9m sought. The council hopes to hear the outcome in mid-summer. If successful, this will unlock funding to develop the full application.

Cllr Carl Smith and Cllr Trevor Wainwright, leaders of the council's main political groups, said: "Over the last year, the project team has been working hard with conservation specialists to ensure Great Yarmouth is in the strongest possible position to get through to the next stage of this very competitive national application process. It's a great opportunity, as significant national funding is needed for this national heritage gem.

"Alongside progressing business case development, architectural and sustainability work, the council asked people to take part in a survey to help feed into the process and underscore the huge level of community support for bringing our Winter Gardens back into viable use.

"The public support has been phenomenal, the largest response to any council survey or consultation in at least a decade, with more than 1,000 taking part in the first 24 hours alone. We'd like to thank everyone who contributed. It was particularly encouraging to see an above-average response from young people, who made up 13% of respondents.

"Critically, responses from all age groups show a very high level of support from the community for the potential of the Winter Gardens restoration to enhance Great Yarmouth as a place and support our year-round economic vitality and community well-being, which will really bolster our bid against stiff national competition."