Creative Space Management was first appointed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council to undertake feasibility and business planning for a major new arts venue in autumn 2008.
Detailed proposals made by Creative Space for refurbishment of St. George’s Chapel on King Street were adopted following the study and £8.5m of funding was secured from a range of partners for the project and an associated scheme of external works in the immediate area.
The project is being jointly funded by the Government’s Sea Change programme, English Heritage, East of England Development Agency, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norfolk County Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Townscape Heritage Initiative.
Creative Space was reappointed to provide further assistance with operating budgets in October 2010. Work on the enhancement of St. George’s Chapel itself and a purpose built new pavilion began in November 2010.
Visualisation of the refurbished chapel and new pavilion bar
The vision workshop which Creative Space led at the outset of the project stimulated strong interest in the project and built a momentum of local support. The energy, vision and enthusiasm that Toby and Paul brought to the project within a very challenging timescale were of great importance in helping GYBC secure grants of over £6m to enable works to begin on conversion of the Grade 1 listed St. George’s Chapel. The highly credible outline Business Plan has proved to be a sound basis for developing a viable enterprise, enabling work to commence on site in early 2010 with a high level of confidence. The new venue is scheduled to open in early 2012.
Peter Hardy, Director,Economy and Environment, Great Yarmouth Borough Council
