The future of a council-owned building in Great Yarmouth will be up for debate next month.

Proposals for the much-admired Ocean Room in Gorleston will be presented to councillors at a meeting of Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s cabinet.

The former nightclub has been closed for more than two years when the company leasing it went into administration.

Councillors have already voted to market the freehold for three months to gauge interest and several offers have been received. The council is currently carrying out due diligence on the bids.

Cllr 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 a care home but the council chose to sell instead.

However, a recent analysis suggests repairs could be significantly moe costly following further detailed investigations.

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.

Cllr Smith added: ”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.”

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