As part of wider plans to revitalise the historic riverfront at King’s Lynn, the Grade I-listed Custom House will undergo a series of ‘light-touch’ improvements.
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has secured Listed Building Consent to bring Custom House back into sustainable use since it is currently seen as an underutilised asset.
The council will ‘retain almost all [of] the historic fabric’ of the building and will see Custom House undergo a full cleaning process. Repair works will be made to some of the stonework and windows as well as to the roof and cupola.
Interior improvements, such as a platform lift, will ensure that the building is accessible for everyone.
Simon Ring, deputy council leader and cabinet member for business, said: “This is fantastic news for the Custom House and the people of King’s Lynn, following hot on the heels of work starting at St George’s Guildhall.
“Everyone recognises the Custom House is the signature building of King’s Lynn and we need to ensure it’s open, accessible and welcoming. The granting of Listed Building Consent is a key milestone and we now have further project development work to do before a start date can be confirmed.”
The Custom House project is fully funded from the £25 million Town Deal grant from the Government.
Tony Calladine, eastern England regional director at Historic England, said: “The Custom House in King’s Lynn is a significant local historic building. The planned repair and restoration work will help to secure its long-term future and sustainability, enabling it to play an active role in the King’s Lynn community for generations to come.
“We’d like to thank the Borough Council of Kings Lynn & West Norfolk, and other partners, for their considered and collaborative approach to this project which has enabled a scheme that strikes the right balance between protecting what is significant about the Custom House while adapting it sensitively for modern use. We look forward to seeing the Custom House reopened and thriving once again.”
Image: Borough Council for King’s Lynn and West Norfolk
© Eastern Echo (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).
Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.
