Future of Gorleston's Ocean Room to be debated after council receives offers to buy venue

The future of Gorleston's Ocean Room is set to be debated with proposals due to be presented to councillors at a meeting of Great Yarmouth Borough Council's cabinet next month.

The former nightclub has been closed for more than two years after the council-owned building shut when the company leasing it went into administration following non-payment of rent.

Earlier this year, councillors voted to market the freehold of the Ocean Room for three months to gauge interest. Several offers have been received and the council is currently carrying out due diligence on the bids.

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ''We would dearly love such a high-profile and well-loved venue in such a prominent position to be brought back into viable commercial use as soon as practically possible.

''Unfortunately, when the building was returned to the council it was in a poor state and repairs would cost more than £800,000 - including a new roof, rewiring, boiler and heating system, as well as structural work.

''following marketing of the freehold, we were reassured to receive several offers to purchase the Ocean Room which officers are working through ready for cabinet to debate. We will be considering all the proposals, but there are currently no plans to turn the site into a car park."

Last year an independent report commissioned by the council considered possible demolition and redevelopment of the site for leisure, residential, hotel, senior living or care home facilities.

But this was initially ruled out and instead the decision was taken to market the freehold of the building. And more recent analysis suggests the repairs bill could be significantly higher following further detailed investigations into the structure of the venue.

Meanwhile, a nomination to have the Ocean Room listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) was turned down by because it did not meet the necessary criteria. If successful, the group behind the bid - which wanted to open up the venue to collaboration with local small businesses and educational providers to create a multi-generation space - would have had the opportunity to bid for it. The group would then have been required to find the funding to make the renovations required to bring the building back to standard.

Councillor Smith said: ''We are pleased the Ocean Room has attracted such interest from potential buyers. Doing nothing is not an option and no one wants to see the building further deteriorate and remain closed with no viable future.''